SAPS seizes R18.27m in counterfeit goods and illicit vodka in Boksburg raid

The South African Police Service (SAPS) seized more than R18.27 million worth of counterfeit and illicit goods during a raid on storage units in Boksburg, east of Johannesburg. The operation, carried out on Friday 24 July, recovered over 1.5 million counterfeit items and thousands of bottles of illicit vodka.

What was found in the raid

Police said the Gauteng Provincial Counterfeit Unit, working with brand protection investigators and acting under a search and seizure warrant, searched four storage units in Boksburg. Authorities confiscated a total of 1 531 398 items with an estimated combined value of R18 271 850.

The seized goods listed by SAPS included:

• 902 016 Trust condoms
• 326 400 BIC pens
• 156 096 Kiwi shoe polish products
• 44 160 Nivea roll-on deodorants
• 24 192 Lover Plus products
• 5 184 Super Black hair dye products
• 1 500 Nike tracksuits
• 14 370 bottles of illicit 100ml vodka (valued at R71 850)

Police response and consumer warning

Gauteng SAPS spokesperson Captain Tintswalo Sibeko described the operation and the role of the provincial counterfeit unit. SAPS said it is committed to disrupting criminal networks involved in the manufacture, storage, distribution and sale of counterfeit and illicit goods.

“SAPS remains committed to protecting consumers, supporting legitimate businesses and disrupting criminal networks involved in the manufacture, storage, distribution and sale of counterfeit and illicit goods.”

Sibeko also warned that these crimes damage South Africa’s economy, undermine lawful trade and “expose consumers to potentially harmful products.”

Next steps and how the public can help

The source material did not detail charges linked to the seizure. SAPS urged members of the public and business owners to report the manufacture, storage or sale of counterfeit goods to their nearest police station or via the Crime Stop hotline on 08600 10111.