Suspects arrested with counterfeit goods worth R1m
Three suspects travelling from Mbombela were arrested at the N4 Middelburg Toll Plaza.
Members of the Middelburg Flying Squad arrested three suspects – two women and one man, aged between 30 and 38 – on Tuesday, November 4. The arrests took place on the N4 in Middelburg.
SAPS spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane said the police were patrolling the N4 near Middelburg, conducting stop-and-search operations, when they received intelligence about a white three-tonne truck seen being loaded with suspected illicit goods in Mbombela.
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“Based on the information, police began stopping trucks they encountered. One of the trucks, with Gauteng number plates, was heading towards the N4 Middelburg Toll Plaza. It was carrying three occupants – two women from Mozambique and a male driver,” she said.
According to Ndubane, officers noticed that the truck was locked and sealed, even though the driver claimed it was empty. They questioned why the truck was sealed if it was empty and requested documentation for the seal, which he could not produce.
On further inspection, the officials discovered large boxes covered with black refuse bags and wrapped in Sellotape. These contained sneakers, slides, soccer boots and flip-flops in different colours and sizes. The goods – with an estimated value of about R1m – and the vehicle were seized by the police.
All three suspects were charged with possession of counterfeit goods. Additional charges include the contravention, possession, distribution of and dealing in counterfeit goods. They are expected to appear in the Middelburg Magistrate’s Court soon.
