The theft and sale of face masks sparked a new mini-crime wave among petty thieves even before their wearing became mandatory.

 A black market has developed around the world and Panama’s back street entrepreneurs have joined in.

Four cases are currently under investigation, linked to the sale of masks that belonged to public hospitals.

On Saturday, April  18   a Colombian man was arrested after being caught selling on line face masks that belonged to the state hospital Santo Tomás.

He was found with seven boxes containing 50 units each. "All, with the number of lots belonging to Santo Tomás Hospital," said anti-corruption prosecutor Adela Cedeño. The suspect is under house arrest and prohibited from online commercial activities.

The Public Ministry is following the trail of Santo Tomás officials who could be involved in including the managers of the hospital warehouse, who control the equipment and medical supplies.

A guarantee judge has charged two citizens of Chinese origin found with 15 boxes with N95 masks (they filter up to 95% of airborne particles) owned by the Social Security Fund (CSS). According to the Public Ministry, it is presumed that they were stolen from the deposits of the institution. Officials are under investigation.

The Public Ministry told  La Prensa that they received two complaints about the theft of N95 and masks from the Dr. Arnulfo Arias Madrid Hospital Complex.