The National Counterfeit and Illicit Goods Unit has seized counterfeit goods worth more than R160 million during a multi-disciplinary operation in the Johannesburg CBD this past week.

“The team, with support from the Public Order Policing (POP) Unit in Pretoria, the South African Revenue Services (SARS) Customs Division and brand protectors, executed search-and-seizure warrants on Tuesday at several identified shops located in a retail building.

“This resulted in the seizure of more than 62 000 counterfeit items, including high-end branded clothing, footwear, cosmetics, watches, jewellery and sunglasses.

“The operation forms part of ongoing nationwide efforts to dismantle the illegal trade, manufacturing, and distribution of counterfeit and illicit goods in the country,” the police said.

Community members are reminded:

• Counterfeit goods infringe on the intellectual property rights of legitimate brand owners;
• Counterfeit and illicit goods pose serious health and safety risks to consumers;
• These products are often manufactured and distributed outside regulated systems, with no regard for quality standards, safety, or lawful trade practices, and
• Legitimate manufacturers and retailers lose market share to illegal traders, leading to reduced production and job losses