The SAPS Gauteng Provincial Counterfeit Unit, working with brand protection investigators, has seized counterfeit and illicit goods valued at more than R18.2m during a search-and-seizure operation in Boksburg.

The operation was carried out on July 24 between 09:00 and 14:30, after police executed a search warrant at storage facilities suspected of housing counterfeit and illicit goods.

The multidisciplinary team, comprising members of the Gauteng Provincial Counterfeit Unit and brand protection investigators, searched four storage units in Boksburg.

During the operation, authorities confiscated 1 459 548 counterfeit items with an estimated value of R18.2m.

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The seized goods included:

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

In total, 1 531 398 items were seized during the operation, with a combined estimated value of R18 271 850m.

According to SAPS, the operation forms part of ongoing efforts to protect consumers, safeguard legitimate businesses, and disrupt criminal networks involved in the manufacture, storage, distribution, and sale of counterfeit, contraband, and illicit goods.

Police said these illegal activities not only undermine lawful trade and the economy but also expose consumers to potentially unsafe products.

The SAPS has urged members of the public and business owners to report the manufacture, storage or sale of counterfeit and illicit goods at their nearest police station, by calling the Crime Stop hotline on 08600 10111, or by submitting information through the MySAPSApp.

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