Freight agents seek keys to fight against drugs in freight

During the Logistics Business Lunch on March 27, Mr. Rafael Guerrero, Chief Operating Officer of the Drug Prosecutor’s Office gave an interesting conference on “Security Measure Guidelines for Cargo Agents Not to Contribute to International Drug Trafficking.”

During his explanation to the Panamenian Association of Cargo Agents (APAC), Mr. Guerrero said that one of the best ways to avoid contributing to the international drug trade was “getting to know your customers,” that could be done through research or “due diligence” before committing to work with them. He also recommended being alert to suspicious or non-routine behavior.

An example was longer routes than those used normally, frequent payments in cash, not knowing the true owner of the company, etc.

In relation to the mode of transport used most frequently by drug traffickers, the speaker mentioned air freight in Panama usually not used for drug trafficking. He said 95% of the cases come from countries with a final destination in another country (in transit through Panama).

Regarding land transport, he described it as much used for drug trafficking purposes. There were no checks of local cargo, and drugs had been sent through mail boxes or boxes carried in cars on the Pan American Highway and “no one checks anything”, and checks at the borders of Panama were very weak. Finally, he indicated sea freight and crime in the ports.

Guerrero gave examples of how the drug is transported in cellular double bottom objects, furniture, an ice mode (ice cubes), incense and components that come in metal boxes and is not detectable in the blood, but that causes fatal neurological effects) on routes that are not normal.