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CIMA Newsletter / Jul. 2026 Ed.: Diversification and Threats in Regional Illicit Trade


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


🚨 July confirmed a trend that requires attention: illegal trade in Latin America continues to evolve, exploiting vulnerabilities in supply chains, border zones, and distribution centers.


During the month, CIMA identified cases that demonstrate the expansion of the illicit drug trade (pharmaceuticals), the exploitation of logistics corridors, and the critical importance of strengthening institutional controls.


Key Highlights of the Month:


  • Colombia: The DIAN (National Tax and Customs Directorate) reported a 14.7% increase in seizures of illegal merchandise during the first half of 2026, reaching a cumulative value of USD 100 million. The most impacted sectors were textiles, electrical machinery, and footwear.

  • Dominican Republic: Authorities reported the removal of more than 42 million irregular units of pharmaceuticals between 2022 and 2025 as part of enforcement actions against counterfeiting and illegal trade.

  • Cúcuta (Colombia–Venezuela Border): 28 head of cattle illegally brought in from Venezuela were intercepted without mandatory traceability, posing severe health and sanitary risks to national production.

  • Tenares (Dominican Republic): Authorities seized 7.5 million pharmaceutical units, including expired, adulterated, contraband products, and medical samples.


Illegal trade networks continue to leverage rural routes, parcel delivery services, modified vehicles, and free trade zones to evade controls and transport illicit goods.

📊 Operational Analysis: July records an estimated value of USD 62.9 million, while 64% of recorded events do not have an estimated economic value.


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At Strategos BIP, we offer you CIMA’s strategic intelligence. If you would like to receive the full report or request a customized analysis, write to us at info@strategosbip.com.


👉 Anticipate risks and understand the trends reshaping illegal trade in Latin America.



At Strategos BIP, we recognize the importance of these actions against illicit trade. These reports represent only a portion of the information available through CIMA.

For this reason, we make our intelligence and services available to support organizations in their efforts to combat illicit trade. If you are interested in accessing these resources or would like to expand the services you currently use, please feel free to reply to this email or contact us at info@strategosbip.com.


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HELP US BY SHARING INFORMATION OR REPORTING RELEVANT EVENTS:

You can also safely and anonymously report incidents involving smuggling, counterfeiting, and illicit trade through our CIMA platform, available 24/7.



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