CIMA’s May monthly report examines the evolution of illicit trade across Latin America, highlighting corruption linked to smuggling networks, money laundering schemes involving seemingly legitimate businesses, and the growing illegal trade in pharmaceutical products. The report also reviews key regional trends, identified trafficking routes, and the most significant operational events recorded during the month.

The illegal auto parts market in Colombia has become a major threat to the automotive industry, driven by smuggling, counterfeiting, and gray-market distribution channels. With losses exceeding USD 1.2 billion and a growing volume of counterfeit components circulating through both physical and digital marketplaces, the phenomenon creates significant economic, legal, and road safety risks for importers, distributors, workshops, and consumers.

What began as a 30% "security tax" on Colombian products escalated to 100% in just two months, collapsing formal trade on the Colombia-Ecuador border while smuggling surged by up to 70%. An analysis of the paradox: measures designed to combat organized crime that end up strengthening it.