CRIME RATES in Panama  have been on a  downward path for the last two years  according to Minister of Security Alexis Bethancourt.

At the start of a crime conference In Panama Bethancourt said that in 2009 there were 818 murders, while in 2014 that number fell to 631. In 2015 there were 493 homicides, and 263 so far this year.

"We estimate that this year will end with between 9 and 10 victims per 100,000 residents," he said at the beginning of a crime conference taking place in Panama.

He added that drug seizures have increased. In 2015 authorities seized 58 tons of drugs, and so far this year more than 40 tons have been seized.

[caption id="attachment_63473" align="alignleft" width="256"] Seized drugs[/caption]

The InSight Crime Foundation  reports that Panama and Guatemala have seen a sizeable increase in drug seizures through the first half of 2016, an indication of Central America's persistent importance as a trafficking route to the United States despite past predictions of an impending shift towards the Caribbean.

The minister said that to further lower crime rates the country's security agencies need to focus on fighting organized crime