The National Police reported the capture of José Manuel Cortez Batista, alias “Mocho” one of Panama’s  “most wanted” on Thursday, February 10. following Operation Damascus.

The Damascus operation is part of an investigation by the Prosecutor's Office against Organized Crime, with which they are after a criminal network allegedly led, among others, by Carlos Roberto Aguilar, alias Robert.

According to the prosecution, the Humildad y Pureza (HP) gang – and of which Mocho would be a part – is a criminal group responsible for activities of illicit association, hired killers, drug trafficking and illicit association and that would have a close collaboration with the Colombian cartel Clan del Golfo.