Panama, A New Gateway For Drugs, Brings Violence.

GLOBAL POST.COM.

Mexican cartels are expanding their control of Panama's drug trade and the nation is seeing more drug dealing and turf wars. As gang activity, crime and local drug use surge, Panamanians are watching their nation become a frontline for the drug trade.

The number of Mexicans arrested in Panama on drug-related charges rose 56 percent between 2007 and 2008.