Panama’s National Police carried out a search inside the La Joyita Penitentiary Centre under Operativo Armagedón.[1] The 17 October search was conducted jointly by the Penitentiary System, the National Aeronaval Service and the National Police.[1] Officers focused on Pavilions 1 and 2, as reported by prison-security police chief Luis García.[1]

Inside those pavilions officers seized 38 bags of dry herb presumed to be marijuana.[1] In the same pavilions they reported 934 straws of white powder presumed to be cocaine and 20 plastic bags of presumed illicit substance.[1] They also reported 95 bladed weapons including knives and 150 high-end mobile phones in those pavilions.[1] The overall operation total was described as 934 wrappers of presumed illicit substance, 18 digital scales, 150 metal sheets and 150 technological devices.[1]

In August 2022 the prison held 2,233 convicted and 1,834 accused people, an overpopulation of 1,230, according to the penitentiary directorate.[1] The article notes a similar 26 August find of ammunition, presumed illicit substances, lighters, digital scales, sharp objects and mobile phones in Pavilion 9.[1]