Panama Dismantles Smuggling Ring for Chinese Migrants in Darien Gap

Fifteen suspects arrested for operating a 'VIP route' that expedited dangerous jungle crossings for high-paying migrants.

Panamanian authorities have arrested 15 individuals linked to a smuggling ring facilitating Chinese migrant crossings through the Darien Gap.
The 'VIP route' offered faster, less arduous journeys using all-terrain vehicles, horses, and boats for fees ranging from $2,600 to $8,000.
Over 220,000 migrants, including a significant number of Chinese nationals, have crossed the Darien Gap this year.
The operation seized 11 vehicles, multiple cell phones, a rifle, and cash, with suspects facing up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
Panama's President José Raúl Mulino has pledged to curb migrant flows and has arranged for US-funded repatriation flights.