contraband--- the “cargo” of smuggling operations;
Goods/bads/mates, that are “illegal” or have been “stolen” from somewhere. This type of trade may therefore be connected with piracy, money laundering, poor regulation, etc. and it is reflected in an old time mento “riddim” from a beautiful but scary Caribbean island whose main seaport/capitol sunk. She was hit with an earthquake because she was so pirate-infested, or so goes the legend. These supposed free markets are dangerous undertakings. Ironically, regulations wind up getting established anyway. The rules are oft times enforced in a violent manner, under pirate code.