Gauteng police seize more than R1.5 million in counterfeit and illicit goods, arrest five

Gauteng police seized counterfeit, contraband and illicit goods, including thousands of cigarette packets, during operations across the province.

Image: SAPS

Gauteng police have arrested five suspects and seized counterfeit, contraband and illicit goods worth an estimated R1.5 million during a four-day crackdown across the province.

The operations, conducted between Monday and Thursday, targeted businesses in Pretoria Central, Randfontein and Carletonville.

Police said the operations resulted in the seizure or confiscation of 50 991 items, with a combined estimated value of R1,512,150.

The crackdown was carried out by members of the Gauteng Counterfeit Unit, Commercial Unit and Visible Policing, with support from brand protection representatives and officials from the departments of Health, Immigration and Traffic.

Counterfeit and pharmaceutical products seized in Pretoria

The first operation was conducted on Monday in Pretoria Central, where police visited 10 shops.

“A total of 621 items valued at R20,485 were seized,” police said.

The haul included 287 counterfeit consumable products valued at R7 125, and 334 illicit pharmaceutical products valued at R13 360.

Police said the seized goods “were booked in at the SAPS 13 exhibit store”.

The operation returned to Pretoria Central on Wednesday, when officers visited three shops and executed two search-and-seizure warrants.

“Two suspects were arrested for dealing in counterfeit goods,” police said.

A further 120 counterfeit consumable items, valued at R10,400, were seized, while one enquiry was registered.

Counterfeit tobacco products seized

On Tuesday, police moved to Randfontein in the West Rand District, where four shops were visited.

Police said they seized 9 633 items valued at R408,585.

The seizure included 8 282 counterfeit tobacco products, 1 026 counterfeit consumable products and 112 counterfeit textile items.

“Police also confiscated 236 pharmaceutical products, nine items of poison and 20 illicit honey products,” police said.

The seizure of thousands of counterfeit tobacco products formed part of the broader operation targeting the trade in illicit goods.

R1 million cigarette haul in Carletonville

The biggest seizure was recorded on Thursday during an Integrated Government Relations operation in Carletonville.

The operation brought together the Gauteng Counterfeit Unit, West Rand District Visible Policing, brand protectors and officials from the departments of Health, Immigration and Traffic.

Police arrested one suspect after recovering 39 100 packets of cigarettes, estimated to be worth approximately R1.02 million.

“One suspect was arrested for possession of stolen cigarettes,” police said.

The operation also resulted in the arrest of an illegal immigrant, while another person was arrested for allegedly employing an illegal immigrant.

Counterfeit toys, clothing and medicines were also confiscated

Police also seized a range of other illicit goods during the Carletonville operation.

The items included 147 counterfeit toys, 91 counterfeit consumable products, 221 counterfeit textile items, nine illicit honey products and 49 illicit pharmaceutical products.

These items had a combined estimated value of R52,680, police said.

Across the four operations, police visited 20 shops, executed two search-and-seizure warrants and registered one enquiry.

In total, five suspects were arrested.

Police said the operations formed part of ongoing efforts to tackle illicit trade and improve enforcement through co-operation between law enforcement agencies and other stakeholders.

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