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Contraband (Colombia-Venezuela frontier)(35 images)
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A 2200 kilometre long borderline between Colombia and Venezuela is virtually impossible to control. The flow of contraband at this frontier is managed and organized by illegal Colombian paramilitary forces (AUC) and bribed Venezuelan police (Guardia Nacional). Gasoline and gas are the most wanted items in Colombia (twenty times more expensive than in Venezuela), followed by food, consumer...
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  • Gasoline smugglers (pimpineros) with their contraband fell into the water of the river Táchira on the Colombian-Venezuelan border, 3 May 2006. One load of gasoline barrels may reach over 200 kilograms. Gasoline and gas are the most wanted smuggling items in Colombia (twenty times more expensive than in Venezuela), followed by food, consumer products and car parts. Contraband smuggling makes a living to hundreds of poor dwellers in communities on both sides of the frontier. By photographer Jan Sochor
    gasoline-co...jpg
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  • The bridge crossing the river Táchira on the Colombian-Venezuelan border, 2 May 2006. The major part of the borderline goes through uninhabited jungle areas in Llanos or in Amazonia. 2200 kilometres is impossible to guard. Gasoline and gas are the most wanted smuggling items in Colombia (twenty times more expensive than in Venezuela), followed by food, consumer products and car parts. Contraband smuggling makes a living to hundreds of poor dwellers in communities on both sides of the frontier. By photographer Jan Sochor
    gasoline-co...jpg
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  • Young Colombian smugglers pulling a rope with gas cylinders tied up on it, facing wild waves of the river Táchira on the Colombian-Venezuelan border, 3 May 2006. They can gain 1-2 USD from one cylinder if they make out the risky journey and sell the contraband in Colombia. Gasoline and gas are the most wanted smuggling items in Colombia (twenty times more expensive than in Venezuela), followed by food, consumer products and car parts. Contraband smuggling makes a living to hundreds of poor dwellers in communities on both sides of the frontier. By photographer Jan Sochor
    gasoline-co...jpg
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  • A Colombian smuggler pushing his bicycle fully loaded with contraband on an illegal foot bridge across the river Táchira on the Colombian-Venezuelan border, 2 May 2006. The Colombian border village Parada entirely lives off the contraband. Gasoline and gas are the most wanted smuggling items in Colombia (twenty times more expensive than in Venezuela), followed by food, consumer products and car parts. Contraband smuggling makes a living to hundreds of poor dwellers in communities on both sides of the frontier. By photographer Jan Sochor
    gasoline-co...jpg
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  • A Colombian gasoline smuggler with his bicycle fighting the wild waves of the river Táchira on the Colombian-Venezuelan border, 3 May 2006. The way the gasoline smugglers cross the wild river is very risky, especially during rainy days when the water level rises to about a man's height. Gasoline and gas are the most wanted smuggling items in Colombia (twenty times more expensive than in Venezuela), followed by food, consumer products and car parts. Contraband smuggling makes a living to hundreds of poor dwellers in communities on both sides of the frontier. By photographer Jan Sochor
    gasoline-co...jpg
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  • A Colombian gasoline smuggler throwing a rope to his mate to help him to get faster to the other side of the river Táchira on the Colombian-Venezuelan border, 3 May 2006. Gasoline and gas are the most wanted smuggling items in Colombia (twenty times more expensive than in Venezuela), followed by food, consumer products and car parts. Contraband smuggling makes a living to hundreds of poor dwellers in communities on both sides of the frontier. By photographer Jan Sochor
    gasoline-co...jpg
    add to lightboxadd to cart
  • Young Colombian smugglers pulling gas cylinders out of the river Táchira on the Colombian-Venezuelan border, 3 May 2006. Smugglers are often chased by Venezuelan Guardia Nacional who - inspite of being bribed - shoot at the smugglers non-lethal projectiles and then sell the abandoned contraband. Gasoline and gas are the most wanted smuggling items in Colombia (twenty times more expensive than in Venezuela), followed by food, consumer products and car parts. Contraband smuggling makes a living to hundreds of poor dwellers in communities on both sides of the frontier. By photographer Jan Sochor
    gasoline-co...jpg
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  • A Colombian smuggler carrying a huge box full of the Colombian contraband on an illegal foot bridge across the river Táchira on the Colombian-Venezuelan border, 2 May 2006. It is supposed that cocaine as the most valuable Colombian commodity is smuggled through the Venezuelan border and then it is transported further to the US and Europe. Gasoline and gas are the most wanted smuggling items in Colombia (twenty times more expensive than in Venezuela), followed by food, consumer products and car parts. Contraband smuggling makes a living to hundreds of poor dwellers in communities on both sides of the frontier. By photographer Jan Sochor
    gasoline-co...jpg
    add to lightboxadd to cart
  • Colombian smugglers pushing his bicycles fully loaded with the Venezuelan contraband on an illegal foot bridge across the river Táchira on the Colombian-Venezuelan border, 2 May 2006. The flows of this borderline is predominantly organized and controlled by paramilitary troops, formerly known as AUC. Gasoline and gas are the most wanted smuggling items in Colombia (twenty times more expensive than in Venezuela), followed by food, consumer products and car parts. Contraband smuggling makes a living to hundreds of poor dwellers in communities on both sides of the frontier. By photographer Jan Sochor
    gasoline-co...jpg
    add to lightboxadd to cart
  • A Colombian smuggler carrying three barrels of gasoline (90 kg) across the river Táchira on the Colombian-Venezuelan border, 2 May 2006. A small gasoline smuggler crew can make up to three or four round trips in a day if they are not caught and the river is not very wild. It brings about 5-8 USD to each crew member per day. Gasoline and gas are the most wanted smuggling items in Colombia (twenty times more expensive than in Venezuela), followed by food, consumer products and car parts. Contraband smuggling makes a living to hundreds of poor dwellers in communities on both sides of the frontier. By photographer Jan Sochor
    gasoline-co...jpg
    add to lightboxadd to cart
  • Colombian smugglers pushing his bicycles fully loaded with the Venezuelan gasoline close to the river Táchira on the Colombian-Venezuelan border, 2 May 2006. It has been estimated that there are 30 thousand barrels of gasoline crossing illegally from Venezuela to Colombia every day. Gasoline and gas are the most wanted smuggling items in Colombia (twenty times more expensive than in Venezuela), followed by food, consumer products and car parts. Contraband smuggling makes a living to hundreds of poor dwellers in communities on both sides of the frontier. By photographer Jan Sochor
    gasoline-co...jpg
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  • Barrels of the smuggled Venezuelan gasoline are sold along the highways in the Colombian border region, 2 May 2006. The gasoline price in Venezuela is the cheapest in the world. It is about 12 cents (USD) a gallon. Gasoline and gas are the most wanted smuggling items in Colombia (twenty times more expensive than in Venezuela), followed by food, consumer products and car parts. Contraband smuggling makes a living to hundreds of poor dwellers in communities on both sides of the frontier. By photographer Jan Sochor
    gasoline-co...jpg
    add to lightboxadd to cart
  • A Colombian smuggler pushing his bicycle fully loaded with the Veneuelan toilet paper on an illegal foot bridge across the river Táchira on the Colombian-Venezuelan border, 2 May 2006. The Colombian border village Parada entirely lives off the contraband. Gasoline and gas are the most wanted smuggling items in Colombia (twenty times more expensive than in Venezuela), followed by food, consumer products and car parts. Contraband smuggling makes a living to hundreds of poor dwellers in communities on both sides of the frontier. By photographer Jan Sochor
    gasoline-co...jpg
    add to lightboxadd to cart
  • A Colombian smuggler carrying a huge pack full of the Colombia made jeans on an illegal foot bridge across the river Táchira on the Colombian-Venezuelan border, 2 May 2006. Gasoline and gas are the most wanted smuggling items in Colombia (twenty times more expensive than in Venezuela), followed by food, consumer products and car parts. Contraband smuggling makes a living to hundreds of poor dwellers in communities on both sides of the frontier. By photographer Jan Sochor
    gasoline-co...jpg
    add to lightboxadd to cart
  • Colombian smugglers pushing their bicycles fully loaded with the Venezuelan contraband on an illegal foot bridge across the river Táchira on the Colombian-Venezuelan border, 2 May 2006. The flows of this borderline is predominantly organized and controlled by paramilitary troops, formerly known as AUC. Gasoline and gas are the most wanted smuggling items in Colombia (twenty times more expensive than in Venezuela), followed by food, consumer products and car parts. Contraband smuggling makes a living to hundreds of poor dwellers in communities on both sides of the frontier. By photographer Jan Sochor
    gasoline-co...jpg
    add to lightboxadd to cart
  • Colombian smugglers pushing their bicycles fully loaded with the Venezuelan contraband on an illegal foot bridge across the river Táchira on the Colombian-Venezuelan border, 2 May 2006. The flows of this borderline is predominantly organized and controlled by paramilitary troops, formerly known as AUC. Gasoline and gas are the most wanted smuggling items in Colombia (twenty times more expensive than in Venezuela), followed by food, consumer products and car parts. Contraband smuggling makes a living to hundreds of poor dwellers in communities on both sides of the frontier. By photographer Jan Sochor
    gasoline-co...jpg
    add to lightboxadd to cart
  • A Colombian smuggler pushing his bicycle fully loaded with the Veneuelan food supplies on an illegal foot bridge across the river Táchira on the Colombian-Venezuelan border, 2 May 2006. The Colombian border village Parada entirely lives off the contraband. Gasoline and gas are the most wanted smuggling items in Colombia (twenty times more expensive than in Venezuela), followed by food, consumer products and car parts. Contraband smuggling makes a living to hundreds of poor dwellers in communities on both sides of the frontier. By photographer Jan Sochor
    gasoline-co...jpg
    add to lightboxadd to cart
  • A Colombian smuggler carrying a huge pack full of the Colombia made jeans on an illegal foot bridge across the river Táchira on the Colombian-Venezuelan border, 2 May 2006. Gasoline and gas are the most wanted smuggling items in Colombia (twenty times more expensive than in Venezuela), followed by food, consumer products and car parts. Contraband smuggling makes a living to hundreds of poor dwellers in communities on both sides of the frontier. By photographer Jan Sochor
    gasoline-co...jpg
    add to lightboxadd to cart
  • A Colombian smuggler carrying an empty box on his head close to the river Táchira on the Colombian-Venezuelan border, 2 May 2006. Gasoline and gas are the most wanted smuggling items in Colombia (twenty times more expensive than in Venezuela), followed by food, consumer products and car parts. Contraband smuggling makes a living to hundreds of poor dwellers in communities on both sides of the frontier. By photographer Jan Sochor
    gasoline-co...jpg
    add to lightboxadd to cart
  • A young Colombian smuggler carrying two barrels of gasoline (60 kg) across the river Táchira on the Colombian-Venezuelan border, 2 May 2006. A small gasoline smuggler crew can make up to three or four round trips in a day if they are not caught and the river is not very wild. It brings about 5-8 USD to each crew member per day. Gasoline and gas are the most wanted smuggling items in Colombia (twenty times more expensive than in Venezuela), followed by food, consumer products and car parts. Contraband smuggling makes a living to hundreds of poor dwellers in communities on both sides of the frontier. By photographer Jan Sochor
    gasoline-co...jpg
    add to lightboxadd to cart
  • A Colombian gasoline smuggler throwing lasso to catch a bicycle and get it out of the river Táchira on the Colombian-Venezuelan border, 2 May 2006. Gasoline and gas are the most wanted smuggling items in Colombia (twenty times more expensive than in Venezuela), followed by food, consumer products and car parts. Contraband smuggling makes a living to hundreds of poor dwellers in communities on both sides of the frontier. By photographer Jan Sochor
    gasoline-co...jpg
    add to lightboxadd to cart
  • Colombian smugglers pushing their bicycles fully loaded with the Venezuelan gasoline in the middle of the river Táchira on the Colombian-Venezuelan border, 2 May 2006. Gasoline and gas are the most wanted smuggling items in Colombia (twenty times more expensive than in Venezuela), followed by food, consumer products and car parts. Contraband smuggling makes a living to hundreds of poor dwellers in communities on both sides of the frontier. By photographer Jan Sochor
    gasoline-co...jpg
    add to lightboxadd to cart
  • Colombian gasoline smugglers pushing their bicycles fully loaded with the Venezuelan contraband on the shore of the river Táchira on the Colombian-Venezuelan border, 2 May 2006. Gasoline and gas are the most wanted smuggling items in Colombia (twenty times more expensive than in Venezuela), followed by food, consumer products and car parts. Contraband smuggling makes a living to hundreds of poor dwellers in communities on both sides of the frontier. By photographer Jan Sochor
    gasoline-co...jpg
    add to lightboxadd to cart
  • A Colombian smuggler pushing his bicycle fully loaded with the Venezuelan gasoline on the shore of the river Táchira on the Colombian-Venezuelan border, 2 May 2006. Gasoline and gas are the most wanted smuggling items in Colombia (twenty times more expensive than in Venezuela), followed by food, consumer products and car parts. Contraband smuggling makes a living to hundreds of poor dwellers in communities on both sides of the frontier. By photographer Jan Sochor
    gasoline-co...jpg
    add to lightboxadd to cart
  • Colombian smugglers pushing their bicycle fully loaded with the Venezuelan gasoline on the shore of the river Táchira on the Colombian-Venezuelan border, 2 May 2006. Gasoline and gas are the most wanted smuggling items in Colombia (twenty times more expensive than in Venezuela), followed by food, consumer products and car parts. Contraband smuggling makes a living to hundreds of poor dwellers in communities on both sides of the frontier. By photographer Jan Sochor
    gasoline-co...jpg
    add to lightboxadd to cart


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