Authorities seized 100 tons of assorted contraband materials in southwestern Colombia, local media reported on Friday.
According to newspaper El Pais, the items, seized in the port of Buenaventura in the department of Valle del Cauca, included a selection of different goods, such as toys, soaps, and luxury items including watches.
Clothes were also among the hoard seized by authorities, ranging from high street fashion to children’s fancy dress costumes.
Investigating Commander Mauricio Andres de Leon told Colombian media that “this is the third large shipment seized in the month of August, surpassing the previous catch of $6.5 million — it is testament to the strength of the new government policy of war against smuggling.”
The Commander also added that, despite the port’s notoriety for being involved in the passage of contraband goods, “people should not stigmatize” Buenaventura.
Authorities from Buenaventura believe the total amount of contraband seized in the port of Buenaventura in 2013 has a total value of $30 billion.
