Panama’s National Migration Service intercepted three Venezuelan passengers in transit at Tocumen International Airport carrying 76 undeclared gold bars. Authorities denied their transit and returned them to Venezuela over suspected ties to cross-border smuggling and money laundering. The National Migration Service reported that it detected three Venezuelan passengers in transit with 76 undeclared gold bars and without documentation to prove their origin and ownership. The National Migration Service reiterated its commitment to strengthening migration control, international cooperation, and actions against organized crime, with the aim of preventing national borders from being used as channels for illicit operations. Because “gold bar” can refer to multiple sizes, their values range from small retail investments to massive institutional bricks.