Police seize R400m in counterfeit goods at Durban freight depot

Police have uncovered counterfeit luxury goods worth an estimated R400 million at a freight depot in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN).

The goods, which are counterfeits of the world’s luxury brands, were found in Edwin Swales, south of Durban, on Tuesday afternoon.

Operation

Provincial police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said the discovery was made during a routine cargo profiling operation in Durban.

“Police were doing a routine cargo profiling when they found two containers which contained counterfeit designer clothes, jewellery and kitchenware. Both containers were fraudulently declared to be carrying furniture.

“Preliminary investigations have found that the containers entered the country from an Asian country and the cargo was destined for Alberton and central Johannesburg in Gauteng Province,” Netshiunda said.

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Fake goods

Netshiunda said the fake luxury products are commonly sold on the streets at a fraction of their legitimate retail prices.

He said police are now working to trace the individuals or networks behind the illegal importation.

Gauteng bust

Last week, Gauteng police seized counterfeit goods worth more than R20 million during a multidisciplinary takedown operation in Bruma, east of Johannesburg.

Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Amanda van Wyk said they had arrested 35 individuals for the counterfeit goods.

Van Wyk said one suspect was arrested for contravening the Counterfeit Goods Act, while 34 foreign nationals were arrested for contravening the Immigration Act.

Counterfeit items

She said they were able to seize more than 24 000 counterfeit items, including branded clothing, footwear, handbags, perfumes, jewellery and cellphone accessories.

“Acting on intelligence gathered, the team executed search and seizure warrants in accordance with the Customs and Excise Act and the Counterfeit Goods Act,” she said.

“The Saps remains relentless in its efforts to dismantle the illegal trade in counterfeit and illicit goods in order to protect consumers against harmful products, support legitimate businesses and uphold the integrity of South Africa’s economy,” van Wyk said.

Additional reporting by Tshehla Cornelius Koteli

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