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CIMA Newsletter / Ed. Abril 2026: Transnational Challenges: The Rise of Illicit Trade in the Region During April 2026

CIMA NEWSLETTER: Monthly analysis of operational and strategic illicit trade events in Latin America, developed by the Center for Research, Monitoring, and Analysis of Illicit Trade (CIMA).
CIMA NEWSLETTER: Monthly analysis of operational and strategic illicit trade events in Latin America, developed by the Center for Research, Monitoring, and Analysis of Illicit Trade (CIMA).

🚨🌎 Latin America in April: Illicit Trade Reaches New Levels of Regional Sophistication

CIMA identified critical trends confirming the expansion and professionalization of smuggling networks across the region, with direct impacts on public health, tax revenues, and fair market competition.


Key developments of the month:


  • Latin America reached a historic record: 31.9% of the cigarette market is illicit, generating tax losses of USD 8.5 billion, according to the KPMG report.

  • Operations in the Dominican Republic removed more than 2.3 million illicit units (cigarettes, medicines, and alcoholic beverages) through 19 raids.

  • Argentina faces a dual threat: massive cigarette seizures and Customs Code reforms that could weaken preventive border controls.

  • Paraguay seized 53 tons of agricultural products with counterfeit labels, highlighting the expansion of technical smuggling into the food sector.


This is not just smuggling. It is a criminal architecture that uses shell companies, satellite technology, and alterable electronic documents to evade state controls.




At Strategos BIP, we provide access to CIMA’s intelligence capabilities. If you would like to receive the report or request a tailored analysis, contact us at info@strategosbip.com.


👉 Access the report and anticipate the real risks affecting your operations in the region.


At Strategos BIP, we recognize the importance of these events in the fight against illicit trade. These reports are only a part of all the information that CIMA has available for you. For this reason, we put our intelligence and services at your disposal so we can work together to combat illicit trade. If you are interested in using them or would like to expand the services you already use, do not hesitate to reply to this email or contact us at info@strategosbip.com.


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