Police Crack Down on Counterfeit Syndicate in Johannesburg, Seize Millions
Johannesburg – The South African Police Service (SAPS) successfully conducted an integrated takedown operation on Wednesday, resulting in the seizure of counterfeit goods amounting to an estimated R13 million and the arrest of five suspects.
Gauteng Police Spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Amanda van Wyk hailed the operation as a critical strike against illicit trading activities that erode the nation’s economy. “The SAPS continues to make inroads by dislodging and dismantling the illicit trade in counterfeit goods which has a detrimental impact on the economic growth of the country due to lost revenue,” said Lt. Col. Van Wyk.
According to the SAPS, the operation was the culmination of intensive intelligence-gathering and inter-agency collaboration. “Today, police seized counterfeit goods to the value of R13 million and arrested five undocumented suspects during an integrated takedown operation in Johannesburg,” Lt. Col. Van Wyk revealed.
The sophisticated operation involved a well-coordinated team that included members of various police units, officials from the South African Revenue Service (SARS), brand protectors, and private security companies. The officials targeted three addresses within the Johannesburg Central Business District (CBD) that had been under scrutiny for their alleged involvement in the counterfeit trade.
Lt. Col. Van Wyk further elaborated, “A team comprising of SAPS members from various units, officials from the South African Revenue Services (SARS), brand protectors, and security companies operationalised information and proceeded to three identified addresses in the JHB CBD.”
The raid led to the discovery and confiscation of over 18,000 counterfeit items, such as clothing apparel, footwear, bags, caps, and watches. Additionally, the operation uncovered a clandestine manufacturing plant and a storage facility used for the distribution of these illegal goods to various retail shops throughout Johannesburg.
Among the items seized were machinery used for the production of counterfeit merchandise, including silk screening and laser cutting machines, as well as a computer hard drive that may contain valuable information pertaining to the illicit operation.
The suspects detained in connection with the counterfeit goods are currently in custody and are expected to face legal proceedings shortly. “The suspects are expected to appear before the Johannesburg Magistrates’ Court soon,” Lt. Col. Van Wyk affirmed
