AT TOCUMEN

American is arrested for smuggling illegal drugs

07-14-2009 | MARIJULIA PUJOL LLOYD

mpujolstar@laestrella.com.pa

Panama Star PANAMA. An American citizen was arrested on Sunday at Tocumen International Airport while trying to smuggle six packets of cocaine out of the country.

Andrey Ann Fover, 22, was going to take a flight to Mexico when the customs officials became suspicious and decided to detain him.

Policemen searched the American and found that he was carrying six packets filled with a white substance that appeared to be cocaine. They were strapped inside an undergarment.

After the discovery he was arrested and taken to the police station inside the airport.

Over the last few years, more and more foreigners are being detained at Tocumen Airport trying to leave the country while carrying illegal drugs.

Recently the number of young Americans, Canadians and Europeans arrested have increased as Panama develops as a tourist destination.

This is a definite change in trends with regards to the nationality of the smugglers. Before, they were Mexicans, Colombians and Peruvians who were travelling to Mexico and the United States.

Many young people are prey to drug traffickers who offer them money to act as “mules” and carry illegal substances. They do it as a way to finance their trip, without thinking about the consequences.