Joint operation leads to confiscation of counterfeit goods valued over R1 Million in the Garden Route

A joint crime combatting operation as part of the Inter-Provincial Cross-Border operation, aimed at curbing the proliferation of counterfeit goods in the Garden Route District, yielded an excellent outcome with the confiscation of goods estimated at R1 million during the past week. The operations between the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Northern Cape and Free State commenced last Monday and concluded on Friday, 20 September 2024.

On Monday, 16 September 2024, members attached to the Western Cape Counterfeit and Illicit Goods Policing Team, Public Order Police, Garden Route District Crime Combatting Team and Brand Protectors pounced on a premises at Hibernia Street, George. The members confiscated household goods such as toothpaste, deodorant, shoe polish and various cellular telephone accessories with an estimated value of R95 000. Three undocumented persons aged between 21 and 29, found on the premises were arrested.

Furthermore, on Tuesday, 17 September 2024, the team descended on various shops in the central business districts of Knysna and Plettenberg Bay. The police confiscated several household goods and cellular telephone accessories valued at about R510 000. Three Pakistani nationals, aged between 20 and 25, were taken into custody for contraventions of the Immigration Act.

Meanwhile, similar operations were conducted at Oudtshoorn and Mossel Bay resulting in the confiscation of more than 5000 counterfeit goods for the entire week.

All those arrested will appear in the various courts once charged.

Western Cape police management commended all role-players for their commitment to close down the counterfeit industry which is threatening the economy of the province. These operations forms part of continues efforts by police and strategic partners to eradicate the counterfeit industry.