The Panamanian justice released this Monday the former world boxing champion, Celestino “Pelenchín” Caballero, who must carry out community work after being sentenced to five years in prison for drug trafficking, official sources reported.
Judge Orminda Miranda issued “community work measures to Celestino ‘Pelenchín’ Caballero,” the Judicial Branch reported on its Twitter account.
Caballero will serve as “general adjutant” starting next Tuesday in the Caribbean municipality of Colón, 80 kilometers north of Panama City, the entity added.
Caballero, arrested in 2016, was sentenced in February to five years in prison for transporting 10 kilos of cocaine in a vehicle.
The World Boxing Association (WBA) suspended Caballero from his position as deputy director of the comprehensive development and boxer safety committee due to the events, which shocked the country.
“Pelenchín” announced his retirement from the ring in 2014 due to a serious retinal injury, after a fight he lost that year by knockout against Mexican Adrián Estrella.
Caballero, 41, won the WBA and International Boxing Federation super bantamweight world title. He also won the WBA featherweight interim world title.
The Panamanian fighter retired after 43 fights, with 37 victories (24 knockouts), six defeats and a draw.
After his arrest, Caballero acknowledged the facts, apologized and said through his lawyer that he would “never” do the same again.
Former world boxing champion convicted of drug trafficking released in Panama
