Bogotá Seizes Contraband Valued at $1 Billion, Including Solar Panels

Bogotá's local government has announced the seizure of contraband goods valued at approximately 1 billion pesos. The operation, conducted in the La Estanzuela neighborhood, involved the District Secretariat of Security, Coexistence and Justice (SDSCJ), the DIAN (Colombia's tax and customs authority), the Bogotá Police, and the Fiscal and Customs Police (POLFA). The seized items included decorative articles, mugs, and party supplies. Authorities noted that criminal actors were exploiting the area's industrial activity to sell contraband and evade taxes. The government stated that this type of action will continue in order to weaken criminal organizations, as contraband fuels other illegal activities such as money laundering, financing of criminal structures, and trade in counterfeit goods. Representatives of the warehouses involved are required to contact the DIAN to verify the legality of the seized goods.