GAUTENG. – Police seized 1 721 counterfeit, smuggled and illegal products worth a total estimated value of R889 980 during operations in Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni and Sedibeng.
According to SAPS, the operations between 15 and 18 September were conducted by members of the Gauteng unit and the national unit against counterfeit goods, with support from trademark protectors.
On 15 September, 222 counterfeit textile products worth an estimated R100 000 were seized during an operation at Dragon City in Johannesburg's city centre.
On 17 September, further operations were conducted in Springs and Orange Farm. A total of 991 items worth R760 300 were confiscated.
Among the items were 598 kg of Taxi and Ntsu snuff, worth R598 000, as well as 1 800 empty containers, a roll of shrink wrap for labelling, a heat gun and a sealer.
Police also seized trademark keychains, perfume, engine gasket sealant, soft toys, board games, card games and 393 items of illegal poison.
On 18 September, members of the Gauteng police's unit for counterfeiting and illegal goods, with support from a trademark protector, visited nine shops in Cosmo City. A total of 508 items worth an estimated R29 680 were seized.
This included 193 counterfeit consumer products, six counterfeit cellphone accessories, 169 illegal honey products and 140 illegal pharmaceutical products.
According to SAPS, the three operations resulted in the seizure of 1 721 items and related illegal products with a combined estimated value of R889 980.
Police say they will continue to work together with trademark protectors and other regulatory authorities to take action against businesses involved in the distribution and sale of counterfeit, smuggled and other illegal goods.
Members of the public can report suspected illegal activities to Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or visit their nearest police station.
Source: SAPS
This article is an automatic English translation of a Nuusflits article originally published in Afrikaans. Read the Afrikaans original.
