Police seize R27.5 million worth of counterfeit goods in crackdown
Across operations, police confiscated more than 572 000 counterfeit and illicit items with a combined estimated value exceeding R27.5 million
More than 572 000 counterfeit and illicit items worth over R27.5 million have been seized during a four-day operation targeting the manufacturing, storage and distribution of fake goods.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) said the Gauteng Provincial Counterfeit Unit, working alongside brand protection experts, conducted co-ordinated enforcement operations between July 20 and July 23 in the Sedibeng, West Rand, Tshwane and Johannesburg districts.
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The biggest haul was made in Jeppe, Johannesburg, where officers executed a search-and-seizure warrant at five storage units on Wednesday.
According to SAPS, the operation resulted in one of the largest counterfeit product seizures recorded this year.
Authorities confiscated 41 120 counterfeit Rizla dispensers valued at R16.87 million, 522 000 counterfeit Trust condom packets worth R8.2 million and 4 200 counterfeit Darling hair pieces valued at R126 000.
“In total, 567 320 counterfeit items with an estimated value of R25.2 million were seized during the Jeppe operation,” SAPS said.
Earlier in the week, officers uncovered an illegal operation manufacturing and packaging counterfeit snuff products during inspections at shops in Orange Farm.
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Police seized about 10kg of counterfeit Taxi and Ntsu snuff, 1 500 empty containers, shrink labels, a heat gun and a sealing machine with an estimated value of R10 000.
In Carletonville, officers confiscated 2 877 counterfeit items, including cellphone accessories, consumables and clothing, valued at approximately R436 950.
Another operation in Hercules resulted in the seizure of 1 874 counterfeit and illicit items, including consumables, jewellery, poison, pharmaceutical products and illicit honey.
Across all four operations, police confiscated more than 572 000 counterfeit and illicit items with a combined estimated value exceeding R27.5 million.
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Police said they remain committed to dismantling criminal networks responsible for the counterfeit trade.
“Police have reaffirmed their commitment to working closely with brand owners, regulatory authorities and other law enforcement partners to identify and dismantle criminal networks involved in counterfeit and illicit trade across Gauteng,” SAPS said.
