Raid in Johannesburg: R11m worth of counterfeit goods seized
SAPS and allies raided Fordsburg, halting counterfeit trade, combatting illegal activities together against the spread of illicit goods.
In a concerted effort to combat the proliferation of counterfeit and illicit goods, the South African Police Service (SAPS) executed a meticulously planned operation in collaboration with various law enforcement agencies, resulting in a significant blow to illegal trade activities in Fordsburg.
Led by the SAPS’ National Counterfeit unit, the operation targeted 18 shops nestled within a bustling shopping center in the heart of Fordsburg, Johannesburg.
MAJOR COUNTERFEIT GOODS RAID NETS MILLIONS
The operation, conducted on Thursday, 4 April, proved to be a resounding success, with authorities seizing a cache of counterfeit and illicit merchandise valued at over R11 million. Additionally, over R40 000 in abandoned cash was recovered from the premises.
According to Lieutenant Colonel Amanda van Wyk, the spokesperson for SAPS, the operation was a collaborative effort involving various crime-fighting partners. “The team that executed a search and seizure warrant comprised of SAPS members, officials from the Department of Home Affairs, South African Revenue Services (SARS), Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA), Gauteng Traffic Saturation unit, Brand Protectors, Crime Prevention Wardens and private security,” stated Van Wyk.
During the operation, law enforcement confiscated more than 8000 items masquerading as popular brands, including cellphone chargers, cellphone covers, counterfeit labels, and even entire cellphones.
ILLICIT ELECTRONIC DEVICES SEIZED
Among the seized items were various illicit electronic devices such as headphones, earphones, and Bluetooth speakers, which flagrantly contravene the Electronic Communications Act No. 36 of 2005 and the ICASA Amendment Act No. 03 of 2006.
In a separate but equally significant development, authorities, in collaboration with a Brand Protector, acted on actionable intelligence leading to another successful raid on 3 April. This operation resulted in the seizure of counterfeit goods with an estimated value of R15 million.
During the bust, law enforcement arrested one suspect on charges related to the possession, manufacturing, and distribution of counterfeit goods.
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