Gauteng raids uncover more than 4 100 counterfeit and illicit items

More than 4 100 counterfeit and illicit products valued at approximately R171 085 have been seized during police operations at 10 shops in Gauteng, with authorities targeting suspected illegal trading in Meyerton and Alberton.

The seizures were made during separate operations conducted by the South African Police Service (SAPS) Gauteng Counterfeit Unit and its partners on Friday, 6 November, and Monday, 9 November.

The items recovered ranged from counterfeit food and consumer products to textiles, phone accessories, toys, illicit poison, honey and pharmaceutical products.

The first operation took place at five shops in Meyerton, within the Sedibeng District, on Friday, 6 November.

Members of the Gauteng Counterfeit Unit worked with a brand protector and seized 274 counterfeit items estimated to be worth R61 790.

The confiscated stock included 160 counterfeit consumable products valued at R1 840, as well as 114 textile items estimated at R59 950.

A second operation followed on Monday, 9 November, at five shops in Alberton, in the Ekurhuleni District.

This time, the team included the Gauteng Counterfeit Unit, the Department of Agriculture and a brand protector. Officers seized 3 855 items with an estimated value of R109 295.

These included:

• 3 166 counterfeit consumable products

• 14 phone accessories

• 41 toys and games

• 15 textile items

• 223 items of illicit poison

• 251 items of illicit honey

• 145 illicit pharmaceutical products

Combined, the two operations resulted in 4 129 items being seized, with an estimated total value of R171 085.

SAPS Gauteng says it remains committed to disrupting the distribution and sale of counterfeit and illicit goods through targeted operations across the province.

The police have also called on members of the public to remain alert and report businesses suspected of trading in counterfeit or illicit products to their nearest police station.

No arrests were mentioned in the statement detailing the Meyerton and Alberton operations.

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Source: SAPS