Gauteng police seize R27.5m in counterfeit goods during raids

A four-day enforcement operation across Gauteng has resulted in the seizure of counterfeit and illicit goods valued at more than R27.5 million, as police intensified efforts to disrupt the production, storage and distribution of fake products.

The operation, as posted by Yusuf, was carried out by the Gauteng Provincial Counterfeit Unit alongside brand protection experts between 20 and 23 July 2026, targeting multiple locations across the Sedibeng, West Rand, Tshwane and Johannesburg districts.

Raids uncover counterfeit products across four districts

The operation began in Orange Farm on 20 July, where officers inspected four shops at six different addresses. During the inspections, police uncovered what they described as an illegal operation manufacturing and packaging counterfeit snuff products.

Authorities seized around 10 kilograms of counterfeit Taxi and Ntsu snuff, along with 1,500 empty containers, shrink labels, a heat gun and a sealing machine. The recovered items were estimated to be worth R10,000.

The following day, police moved to Carletonville, where inspections at four shops led to the confiscation of 2,877 counterfeit items, including cellphone accessories, consumables and clothing. The seized goods were valued at approximately R436,950.

Largest seizure recorded in Jeppe

Operations continued in Hercules on 22 July, with officers inspecting six shops. During the inspections, authorities confiscated 1,874 items, including counterfeit consumables, jewellery, illicit poison, pharmaceutical products and illicit honey.

The biggest breakthrough came on 23 July in Jeppe, where police executed a search-and-seizure warrant at five storage units.

Authorities confiscated:

• 41,120 counterfeit Rizla dispensers valued at R16.874 million;
• 522,000 counterfeit Trust condom packets valued at R8.2 million; and
• 4,200 counterfeit Darling hair pieces valued at R126,000.

Police said the Jeppe operation alone resulted in the seizure of 567,320 counterfeit items with an estimated value of R25.2 million.

Across all four operations, authorities confiscated more than 572,000 counterfeit and illicit items, with the total value exceeding R27.5 million.

Police said they remain committed to working with brand owners, regulatory authorities and other law enforcement partners to identify and dismantle criminal networks involved in counterfeit and illicit trade across Gauteng.