It was like major league sports. Jenkins said that while Kroll Associates was working a case when the Harp case was unfolding, the ransom went up accordingly. It's Kroll's belief that they were dealing with the same kidnappers. Experts say that the fact that the Harp and Losada kidnappers got away with the crimes motivated other would-be abductors. It was a well-planned operation.
Many security experts believe that kidnapping gang included current or ex-police officers.
Even though many abductions are blamed on corrupt police, many of the abductions are said to be perpetrated by drug traffickers. What makes the situation different is that the victims tend to be children of wealthy local or foreign businessmen. In Decmember of 1995, Panamanian police arrested six Colombians who kidnapped a wealthy Panamanian woman. Also arrested were two members of the national police. The area near the border with Colombia has seen the largest increase.