Their allies against illegal trade in Latin America and the Caribbean
Success stories
01.
Successful investigation of an illegal agrochemical trading scheme
Problem: The products of an agrochemical company were being sold illegally at physical and digital points of sale, harming its sales and infringing the intellectual property of its products and patents.
Solution: Strategos BIP conducted an analysis of suspicious sellers on social media, simulated product purchases, and an investigation of the criminal actors identified at two physical retail locations, a warehouse, and an e-commerce platform that processed over 5,000 sales annually of unpatented and counterfeit products. The merchandise from just one location was valued at over $50,000 USD.
02.
Rigorous Due Diligence Process
Problem: A client was considering entering into a business relationship with a Colombian company and conducted due diligence by checking restricted and sanctions lists. This process did not raise any red flags or indications of suspicious activity. However, the client wanted to verify this information through a more rigorous due diligence process.
Solution: Strategos BIP conducted a comprehensive due diligence process that went beyond basic checks. We thoroughly analyzed company addresses, financial statements, links to high-risk industries, and social media connections to identify suspicious and/or unusual associations. With this approach, we were able to protect the company from an inadvertent association with corruption risks, enabling them to make informed decisions and safeguard their reputation, integrity, and business relationships.
03. (Centroamérica)
Extortion by Organized Crime in Central America
Problem: A telecommunications company with operations in Central America was affected by extortion and violent incidents perpetrated by a criminal organization. This organization was also linked to a competitor, creating unfair competition in the market.
Solution: Strategos BIP analyzed the criminal dynamics and risks associated with its unfair competitor. It developed a risk management plan to mitigate violent incidents while coordinating a joint public-private effort to combat this threat to security and the economy.
04.
Coordination with authorities in investigative cases.
Problem: A criminal network was illegally storing and selling medications intended for the treatment of high-risk diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular conditions. These products had altered manufacturing batches and expiration dates, posing a serious risk to public health.
Solution: Strategos BIP, through its Triangles Strategy , strengthened its collaboration with authorities and productive sectors. In this case, a seven-month investigation yielded key information to units attached to the SIJIN-GOES-MESOA and the Attorney General's Office, leading to the arrest and prosecution of the perpetrator, as well as the seizure of more than 700 illegal medications. These actions prevented the illicit distribution of products that posed a risk to public health and contributed to strengthening public-private cooperation against illegal trade in the region.
05.
Container risk profiling
Problem: Illicit trade via maritime transport poses a constant challenge for customs authorities in the region. The high volume of containers passing through major ports hinders the manual identification of suspicious shipments, reducing the effectiveness of inspections and facilitating the operation of criminal networks.
Solution: Through the Triangles Strategy , Strategos BIP implemented a data-driven container risk profiling system capable of identifying patterns and anomalies in supply chains. This tool allowed for the assignment of risk scores to each container and the sharing of strategic information with authorities in Mexico, Colombia, Panama, and Peru. This led to the seizure of contraband goods valued at over USD 16 million, increased operational efficiency by reducing inspection times and resources, and strengthened international cooperation in the fight against illicit trade.
06.
Detección de contrabando técnico en el sector aluminio
Problem: Aluminum smuggling in Colombia has generated a serious economic distortion, weakening the local industry and causing significant tax losses. Between January 2024 and February 2025, an analysis by Strategos BIP identified evidence of technical smuggling in 14,600 tons of aluminum profiles, of which 3,000 tons presented a high risk of under-invoicing or tariff reclassification. These operations, concentrated in the customs offices of Buenaventura and Cartagena, reported FOB values up to 14 times lower than the reference prices.
Solution: Through the Triangles Strategy , Strategos BIP strengthened cooperation with the Colombian Tax and Customs National Directorate (DIAN) and the Colombian Tax and Customs Police (POLFA) to update price references, profile risks, and alert authorities. These actions led to the seizure of over $600,000 worth of technically contraband aluminum and supported antidumping investigations, protecting the productive sector and closing gaps in the fight against illegal trade practices.
07.
A snapshot of the illicit trade in mass consumer products in Colombia
Problem: An agrochemical company faced the illicit sale of its products through physical and digital channels, impacting its revenue and infringing its intellectual property rights. This case reflects a larger problem in Colombia, where, according to the DIAN (National Tax and Customs Directorate), smuggling exceeded US$8.8 billion in 2022, equivalent to 10% of the value of imported goods. This phenomenon not only reduces tax revenue but also fosters unfair competition and serves as a mechanism for criminal activities. A study of illicit trade in lighters, toothbrushes, and razors detected import distortions exceeding US$20 million (0.28% of the national total) in 2023, with an irregularity rate of 65%, resulting in estimated losses for the State of COP$18.5 billion in tariffs and VAT.
Solution: Strategos BIP conducted an analysis of suspicious sellers on social media, simulated purchases, and an investigation of criminal actors at two physical locations: a warehouse and an e-commerce platform that registered more than 5,000 annual sales of counterfeit products. Merchandise valued at over USD $50,000 was found at a single location. Following the Colombian Tax and Customs Authority's (DIAN) mirror methodology and with industry support, the commercial distortion caused by these products was measured, revealing that the most significant method is technical smuggling through under-invoicing.