Officers from SAPS Border Unit with assistance from private investigators have brought activities at an Edenvale counterfeiting syndicate to a standstill. The counterfeit production centre near Eden Mall was shut down on August 2 when it was visited by officers.
Investigations at the centre started on August 3.
Captain Jean Olckers, Edenvale SAPS spokesperson, said although no arrests were made, counterfeit ink cartridges were found at the scene.
“The cartridges were found in a back room in one of the shops,” said Olckers.
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“This is a significant find of significant value.”
Edenvale detectives visited the scene and provided assistance to the investigators.
“As the centre was found in the Edenvale policing precinct, the police station offered its resources,” said Olckers.
He said the matter will be investigated by the SAPS Special Commercial Crime Units.
A private investigator at the scene, who did not want to be named, said the centre was initially investigated for distribution of counterfeit goods.
“We received information about a counterfeit syndicate operating in Edenvale and started investigations,” said the investigator.
“Upon our arrival, we discovered that the in cartridges were also being manufactured at the centre.”
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Olckers said the components for the ink cartridges were imported and then put together in Edenvale.
Representatives from various printing companies assisted officers in the investigation.
Dale de Villiers, from Brother Industries, said this was not the first centre found to be producing counterfeit ink cartridges.
“We have assisted police in busting other operations on previous occasions,” said de Villiers.
“We want to send a message to criminals that as companies we take this very seriously.”
De Villiers said in addition to the financial damage, counterfeit operations also negatively affect the image of a company.
“The substandard counterfeit goods damage hardware and can damage our companies image.”
He said by assisting officers in these operations, counterfeit operations can be eradicated.
“We will continue the fight against counterfeit operations,” said de Villiers.
