PANAMA CITY, Dec. 27 (Xinhua) -- Panamanian authorities seized 84.6 tons of illicit drugs in 2017, setting a record in drug confiscation,government agencies said on Wednesday.
The Ministry of Public Security, National Aeronaval Service, the National Border Service and the Police Department unveiled the figure at a press conference, saying international cooperation was key to successfully combating drug trafficking.
A total of 72 tons of drugs had been impounded in 2016, according to the officials.
Deputy Police Director Alonso Vega said authorities also seized some 6 million U.S. dollars, along with 113 weapons, 56 boats and 253 vehicles, as well as 1,000 glass tanks that were used to manufacture methamphetamine, a type of artificially synthesized recreational drug.
In addition, 147 people were arrested on drug smuggling charges. Most smuggling operations were conducted on the sea, officials said.
