Customs Operation Targets Illicit Cigarette Trade in Colon Free Zone
COLON, August 8, 2026 – Panama Customs and police carried out Operation Odisea in the Colon Free Zone to verify a warehouse shipment involving millions of cigarettes.
Telemetro reported that the diligence was authorized by the Northern Zone Customs Administration and executed by personnel from the Customs Prevention and Inspection Directorate.
The inspection took place in a warehouse inside the Colon Free Zone to verify compliance with customs and sanitary rules.
Customs said these actions seek to prevent products that do not meet established rules from entering or being commercialized irregularly in the country.
The operation is supported by the legal framework that created the National Customs Authority and by Panama adoption of the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products.
Aduanas said it will continue inspection operations to prevent irregular commercialization, protect public health and strengthen controls over goods moving through national territory.
Why it matters
Illicit tobacco trade affects public health, customs revenue, legal commerce and Panama commitments under international control rules.
What happens next
Customs authorities say inspections will continue in order to detect products that violate customs or health regulations.
