The discovery resulted in the arrest of three suspects and the seizure of suspected counterfeit goods valued at approximately R1 million.

The three suspects, two women and a man, were arrested on November 4 and charged with contravention, provision, possession, distribution, and dealing of counterfeit goods.

The arrest follows a tip-off.

Police members were conducting proactive patrols and stop-and-searches on the N4 Middelburg Road when they received information about a three-ton white truck in which suspected illicit goods were loaded.

The Flying Squad Unit stopped all trucks matching the description heading toward the Middelburg Toll Plaza, and it was not long before the ‘flagged’ truck was stopped.

Officers noticed that the truck’s cargo area was secured with a seal.

“The driver is said to have indicated that the truck was empty, but the men and women in blue continued to engage him, trying to understand the reason behind locking an empty truck. It was at this point that the driver was asked about a written document for the seal, but he could not produce it and had apparently given a lift to the two ladies with the luggage,” said provincial police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane.

Inside the truck, police discovered large boxes covered with black refuse bags and wrapped in packaging tape.

Sneakers, slides, soccer boots, and different brands of flip-flops were found inside the boxes.
The truck was also seized.

Breaking news at your fingertips … Follow WITBANK NEWS on our website, Facebook, Twitter,  Instagram or TikTok

Chat to us: info@witbanknews.co.za