News
Wednesday 4th September 2024.
September 3, 2024
On Tuesday, September 3, prosecutor Emeldo Márquez revealed the first details of Operation Garra , an investigation that has led to the arrest of three soccer players involved in the manipulation of matches in the Panamanian Football League (LPF) and the Prom League.
The operation, carried out by the National Police in coordination with the First Prosecutor’s Office against Organized Crime, originated from a complaint filed in June 2023 by the Panamanian Football Federation (FPF). At a press conference, Márquez explained that the investigation began when the FPF reported irregularities in several LPF matches and its under-20 tournament, the Liga Prom.
“This led the Prosecutor’s Office to carry out its own investigations, such as interviews and wiretapping calls, establishing the link between three people who have been arrested. These people will be taken to the corresponding authorities on charges related to financial crimes and economic order, according to article 253 of the Penal Code, which provides for sentences of 2 to 4 years in prison ,” the prosecutor explained.
The players involved, according to Márquez, offered and promised other players amounts between $1,500 and $4,500 to influence the results of the matches, either in the course of the game or in the final score.
The money was delivered immediately and in cash, although the use of digital currencies, such as Bitcoin, has also been identified for some payments.
Márquez stressed that, although no evidence has been found of direct participation by clubs, managers or sponsors, a group of players from teams in Colón, Panama, Coclé and Veraguas were involved in these corrupt practices.
Furthermore, it has been determined that those responsible for these match-fixing schemes operated in coordination with persons abroad , who provided the funds necessary to bribe the athletes.
Marquez said the investigation covers several matches, some of which occurred before the FPF’s complaint and others during the ongoing investigation.
The prosecutor also announced that requests will be made to remittance houses to track the flow of money and did not rule out the possibility of charging other people involved in the case.
“We have not detected that it was a club, the board or the league,” he clarified, suggesting that those responsible for the bribes were foreigners operating from outside the country.
FPF President Manuel Arias stressed the importance of maintaining confidentiality during the investigation and warned that this case could be just “the tip of the iceberg.”
“Today the first steps are being taken and the task of putting an end to this crime has begun in a significant way. We continue to support the Public Prosecutor’s Office. We are not the party that is familiar with the case, but rather facilitators so that they can do their job,” Arias said.
Arias also mentioned that both FIFA and Concacaf are aware of the situation and that this case could serve as a model for future similar investigations.
“This has been one of the few times that not only an administrative sanction has been imposed, but also a punitive one before the Public Prosecutor’s Office. There are criminal responsibilities for this type of conduct,” he said.
Finally, Arias stressed the importance of combating these practices to maintain the integrity of Panamanian football.
“Integrity is extremely important. We at the FPF and LPF feel strengthened by today’s events, demonstrating the commitment of the football leadership. Events like these demonstrate the will of the members of the football ecosystem. It is a step forward, it is an exemplary step against organized crime,” he concluded.
Regarding the future of those involved, Arias reported that the arrested players will be temporarily suspended from all football activities until the Public Prosecutor’s Office presents evidence to the FPF Disciplinary Commission, which will make a permanent decision on their situation.
The noose is tightening and drug prosecutor Joseph Díaz has asked the magistrates of the Superior Court of Appeals to toughen the precautionary measures for four defendants accused of conspiracy to carry out drug-related activities, arrested in Operation Jericho.
During a hearing held yesterday, Monday, September 2, Díaz asked magistrates Greta Marchosky, Yiles Pittí and Yanelka Quijano to revoke the precautionary measures granted to Ismael Martínez , Kerime Andrea Zúñiga , Militza Rodríguez and Neryethe Jaén Cherigo , and to provisionally detain them. Currently, some of them are under house arrest or periodically notified to the authorities. According to the prosecution, all of them actively participated in the drug trafficking network dismantled in Jericho. Thus, elements that link them to the investigation were exposed. The prosecutor highlighted links with drug seizures, plans to hide drugs in cars with false bottoms, the use of a digital wallet to pay backpackers who transported them, and a boutique to launder money.
Regarding the case of Ismael Martínez, who is under house arrest, the prosecutor argued that there are “serious indications” linking him to the seizure of 600 kilos of cocaine, two AK-47 rifles and a pistol, seized during a police operation on the Juan Díaz River in August 2023. He is also linked to the seizure of 158 packages of cocaine on February 26, 2024 in San Miguelito, a case in which José Mackenzie , another of the defendants, is also linked.
However, Abdiel Sánchez, Martínez’s lawyer, refuted these accusations. He argued that his client was not arrested during these operations and that it was not until several months later that attempts were made to link him to these events.
He also claimed that at the time of his client’s arrest, no drugs or money were seized from him and that he also has no criminal record.
Operation Jericho gained relevance because one of those investigated for the alleged money laundering commission is Abraham Rico Pineda , son of PRD deputy Raúl Pineda. Rico Pineda is in a cell in La Nueva Joya prison, while the case is investigated.
With six votes in favor and one against, the bill that seeks to extend the obligation to submit a sworn statement of financial status to high-ranking officials was approved in the first debate on Tuesday, September 3, in the Government Commission of the National Assembly .
Deputy Roberto Zúñiga , from the independent Vamos party, who proposed the initiative, recalled that the objective seeks to expand the list of officials who declare their assets, without including sensitive information such as home address, vehicle license plate number, among other personal data. The information would be public.
He argues that currently the sworn declaration of financial status, a fundamental tool for detecting and preventing possible illicit enrichment that could be committed by public servants, only applies to a “small number” of officials. Among them are the President and Vice President of the Republic, the President of the Assembly and the President of the Supreme Court of Justice.
The proposal now includes deputies and their substitutes, representatives and their substitutes, councillors, mayors, vice-mayors, municipal general secretaries and governors.
It would also include the directors of the National Customs Authority and the National Immigration Service, judges, prosecutors, diplomatic and consular heads, the Superintendents of Banks, the Securities Market and Insurance and Reinsurance, members of boards of directors that manage public funds or make decisions in this regard, and members of boards of directors in charge of managing public institutions.
During the discussion, representatives of the Public Prosecutor’s Office (MP) expressed their concern about the inclusion of prosecutors in charge of sensitive investigations such as drug trafficking or security, since they believe that if their information is known, it could be used against them. For this reason, they requested clarification of the category of prosecutors that would be included in the law.
“Those who deal with sensitive issues could be the target of fraud, extortion or personal insecurity, including their families,” said Grisell Mojica, representative of the MP.
Meanwhile, representatives of the Transparency and Access to Information Authority (Antai) indicated that by applying this new rule they would be technologically limited in receiving the number of asset declarations they would have to receive.
The Municipality of San Miguelito , which has faced a financial crisis in recent months, raised a little more than $1 million dollars in July 2024.
This was announced on Tuesday, September 3 by Mayor Irma Hernández . “A historic month,” she said.
He indicated that since he took office at the beginning of last July, they have applied financial mechanisms “day by day” to improve the revenue collection of that commune, which remained in the red.
“It is the biggest fundraiser” of an administration. According to Hernandez, this reflects “confidence” in the new administration.
“It is a matter of trusting that we are taking care of every cent that goes into the treasury,” he added in an interview with TVN.
When he entered the Municipality, Hernández said that they received a global debt of around $15 million, inherited from the previous administration of former mayor Héctor Valdés Carrasquilla.
Currently, the Municipality maintains a moratorium in effect. Business and advertising tax payers will have a 25% exemption for all those who pay the full annual fee by December 31, 2024, as long as they meet the requirements established in the agreement.
Taxpayers with any arrears and who wish to pay their arrears in full until the 2023 tax period will be forgiven 100% of the interest and surcharges and 100% of the fines.
Regarding the business tax payment arrangement, 100% of the interest and surcharges will be waived, as well as 50% as a fine for non-payment that occurred up to the 2023 fiscal period.
Around 3,500 businesses in 14 shopping centers, restaurants, hotels, travel agencies and airlines such as Copa Airlines and Avianca are joining in the weekend of discounts in Panama with promotions on goods and services ranging from 20% to 70%.
Erick Zamora, president of the Panamanian Association of Shopping Centers, said that this year the weekend of promotions and discounts will be from September 13 to 15.
“It is a good opportunity for everyone, both for consumers and merchants, and we are very optimistic about the impact it will have on sales and the economy of the country and the commercial sector. Panama is a favorite shopping destination,” he said.
He explained that discounts on technology and white goods will be up to 50% in some establishments.
The activity will be supported by the security of the National Police and the Consumer Protection and Competition Authority (Acodeco).
The National Police Commissioner, Edgardo Núñez, said that more than 200 members of that security force will be deployed and will form three security rings in the shopping centers and shopping areas and will be operating with members of the Land Transit and Transportation Authority to guarantee the flow of vehicles in the areas.
Acodeco administrator Ramón Abadi Balid recalled that it is necessary for the offers to be properly identified and to have the start and end dates of these discounts.
Nadkyi Duque, representing the National Chamber of Tourism Camtur, said that there is great potential for shopping tourism with an offer in Panama of more than one and a half million square meters of commercial establishments.
“Trade represents 17% of the country’s economy and if we join forces with tourism we can triple the number of visitors coming to Panama,” Duque said.
He pointed out that shopping tourism also generates an economic spillover in the hotel sector, restaurants, transportation and other services.
Duque indicated that this year the visit of tourist groups from Costa Rica, Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador and Colombia and other countries that will take advantage of the discount season in Panama has been confirmed. Around 1,500 tourists from these countries are expected to travel to Panama specifically during the Black Weekend season.