Germiston operation leads to seizure of counterfeit and illicit goods worth more than R200k
Police confiscated counterfeit clothing, cellphone accessories, consumables and illicit pharmaceutical products during a targeted operation in Germiston.
A multi-agency operation targeting counterfeit and illicit goods in Germiston has resulted in the seizure of products valued at more than R200 000.
The operation, conducted by the Gauteng Counterfeit Unit and brand protection representatives on June 1, formed part of ongoing efforts to combat illicit trade and protect consumers from counterfeit products.
During the operation, police inspected six shops in Germiston and uncovered a variety of counterfeit and illicit items.
The confiscated goods included 372 counterfeit clothing items valued at R98 900, 70 counterfeit cellphone accessories worth R55 700 and 929 counterfeit consumable products valued at R37 890.
Police also seized 327 illicit pharmaceutical products with an estimated value of R16 350.
In total, 1 698 items worth about R208 840 were confiscated during the operation.
The Germiston raid was one of several recent enforcement operations carried out by the Gauteng Counterfeit Unit as authorities continue to clamp down on the sale and distribution of counterfeit and illicit goods across the province.
In a separate operation in Langlaagte, Johannesburg, police seized 3 096 dispenser boxes of counterfeit Goldstar yeast valued at R52 300. Two vehicles allegedly linked to criminal activity were also confiscated, and one suspect was arrested for possession and distribution of counterfeit goods.
According to SAPS, the operations are aimed at protecting consumers, supporting legitimate businesses and disrupting criminal networks involved in the counterfeit goods trade.
Police said inspections and enforcement operations would continue to remove illegal products from circulation and protect the public from potentially harmful counterfeit goods.
