The Trade Transparency Unit (TTU) of Panama’s Autoridad Nacional de Aduanas has been recognized by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) as the Best Trade Transparency Unit (TTU) of 2025 for its efforts to combat trade-based financial crime, customs violations, and transnational smuggling.
Throughout 2025, TTU Panama City led investigations that resulted in the seizure of more than $13 million worth of illicit tobacco products, identified an estimated $3 million in lost government revenue, and provided intelligence that supported additional seizures involving narcotics, illegal cigarettes, and illicit gold across the region.
The unit operates near the Colón Free Zone (CFZ), the largest free trade zone in the Western Hemisphere, located at the Atlantic entrance of the Panama Canal. The strategic location places TTU Panama City within one of the world’s major trade hubs, where annual imports and re-exports are valued at approximately $24.7 billion.
The recognition was presented to Autoridad Nacional de Aduanas Director Soraya Valdivieso in acknowledgment of the unit’s investigative results and cooperation with domestic and international partners. During 2025, the unit strengthened coordination with organizations including the Colón Free Zone administration, the Public Prosecutor’s Office, the Judicial Investigation Directorate of Panama’s National Police, Senam, and the Financial Analysis Unit.
Through those partnerships, Panama’s TTU supported the seizure of more than 60 million illicit cigarettes valued at approximately $5.7 million, while also contributing intelligence that helped authorities identify additional criminal activity connected to international trade.
Trade Transparency Units are an investigative framework led by HSI that use trade data analysis, financial intelligence, and international information sharing to identify and disrupt trade-based money laundering, customs fraud, tax evasion, and the movement of illicit goods through global supply chains.
HSI highlighted TTU Panama City’s work as an example of international cooperation aimed at protecting legitimate commerce and strengthening efforts against criminal networks that exploit global trade systems.
HSI maintains partnerships with customs administrations, law enforcement agencies, and private-sector organizations around the world to support investigations into transnational crime. The agency operates more than 90 international offices across more than 50 countries, providing investigative support and intelligence sharing on issues including trade fraud, smuggling, and financial crimes.
As part of the recognition, TTU Panama City personnel participated in an HSI-led training course on illicit trade taking place July 13-17, focused on strengthening capabilities to identify and address threats linked to illegal commerce.
