Phone app helping detect illegal Colombian imports

Global Business

Contraband is a huge problem in Colombia and carries with it a multi-billion dollar price tag. Legitimate businesses and industries are greatly affected by the goods that are illegally imported into the country. Analysts say the problem has gotten bigger due to money laundering by narcotics trafficking operations. A new mobile app may soon change for the textile industry. CCTV America’s Michelle Begue filed this report from Colombia.

Highlights:

  • According to the Colombian Tax and Customs Authority, $6 billion dollars worth of textiles, clothing, shoes, rice, liquor and cigarettes are illegally imported into Colombia. The President of the Association of Colombian exporters, Javier Diaz, says money laundering is to blame.
  • One app helps with the detection of illegal imports. Companies who want to show their products are legit can work with the Android application, called the ‘Original’, will create a quick response code, that users can scan.