The South African Police Service (SAPS) continues to disrupt and dislodge the illicit trade in counterfeit and contraband goods across the country.
The latest takedown operation took place this week at the corner of Rahima Moosa and Delvers Streets in the Johannesburg CBD.
On Wednesday, 26 June 2024 the National Counterfeit Goods Unit and its crime fighting partners executed a search and seizure warrant which resulted in the seizure of over 15 000 counterfeit items with an estimated value of R12.8 million.
The seized items included sports apparel, shoes, handbags, caps and perfumes as well as a printing machine and labels imitating well-known brands. Some of these items were found inside hidden compartments and drywalls.
The police were joined by officials from the South African Revenue Services (SARS), Gauteng Traffic, Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD), Johannesburg Emergency Management Services (EMS), Brand Protectors, Crime Prevention Wardens and private security.
This brings the total value of counterfeit goods seized in the month of June to over 40 000 counterfeit items worth over R40 million:
26 June 2024: Over 15 000 counterfeit items worth R12.8 million seized at the corner of Rahima Moosa and Delvers Streets, JHB CBD;
21 June 2024: Over 18 000 items worth R15.5 million seized at the corner of Rahima Moosa and Von Wielligh Streets, JHB CBD. Police also seized labels and equipment utilised to manufacture counterfeit goods;
13 June 2024: Over 7 000 items worth R6.6 million seized at a shopping complex along Delvers Street in the JHB CBD;
07 June 2024: Over 7 000 items worth R5.8 million seized in Fordsburg and JHB CBD. Police also arrested two Chinese nationals for the contravention of the Counterfeit Goods Act and two Ethiopian nationals for the contravention of the Immigration Act.
These seized items are stored in dedicated Counterfeit Goods depots whereafter infringing trademarks are removed. The neutralised goods are then upcycled into other items such as furniture and toys; an eco-friendly initiative spearheaded by the Companies and Intellectual Properties Commission (CIPC).
Police seized over 40 000 counterfeit items worth over R40 Million and arrested four suspects during various takedown operations in the month of June https://t.co/2mRL3Bm9Pz#ArriveAlive #IllicitTrade #CounterfeitGoods @SAPoliceService pic.twitter.com/BMcA8FWQ3S
– Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) June 29, 2024
