Police have seized counterfeit and illicit goods worth more than R66 million in Johannesburg in recent days, as government intensifies the crackdown on the sale of fake products.
Lieutenant Colonel Amanda van Wyk said four Malawian nationals were also arrested for contravening the Immigration Act.
“The takedown was led by the national counterfeit goods unit joined by the Gauteng provincial counterfeit goods unit, SAPS' operational response services, crime intelligence, SAPS’ chemical control unit, commercial crime investigations, Department of Home Affairs, Department of Agriculture, South African Revenue Service (Sars), customs, brand protectors, Crime Prevention Wardens and private security,” said Van Wyk.
She said the law enforcement team which was executing a search and seizure warrant, targeted a shopping mall and a self storage facility at the corner of Wemmer Jubilee and Heidelberg Roads in Johannesburg CBD on Tuesday.
More than 190,000 counterfeit and illicit items were seized, including; clothing, shoes, belts, cosmetics, cigarettes and liquor.
“Also, among the seized items were illicit pharmaceuticals, such as skin lightning products,” said Van Wyk.
“Moreover, the team also confiscated bottles of illicit poison which were found inside the storage facilities among other consumable items.”
She added that officials from the Department of Agriculture assisted the law enforcement team in identifying the illicit poisonous products in a concerted effort to address food-borne illnesses which have been experienced in different parts of the country.
“The SAPS, along with its partners, is committed to eradicating the illegal trade in counterfeit and illicit goods to safeguard consumers, legitimate businesses, and the economy of this country,” said Van Wyk.
IOL