MIDRAND – In a significant enforcement action, the National Counterfeit Goods Unit spearheaded a comprehensive takedown operation on Thursday, 16 May 2024, resulting in the seizure of counterfeit goods valued at over R3 million and the arrest of a Pakistani national on bribery charges.
The operation was a coordinated effort involving the National Counterfeit Goods Unit, Commercial Crimes Detectives, South African Revenue Services (SARS) officials, Brand Protectors, Crime Prevention Wardens, and Private Security. The team executed a search and seizure warrant at a local shopping center in Midrand, targeting multiple shops suspected of selling counterfeit products.
More than 4000 items mimicking well-known brands were confiscated, including sports apparel, shoes, cellphones, cellphone accessories, Bluetooth speakers, and earphones. During the raid, a Pakistani national attempted to bribe the officials, leading to his immediate arrest.
This operation follows a successful raid last week where the National Counterfeit Goods Unit, in collaboration with Brand Protectors, seized counterfeit petroleum oil worth over R200,000 and apprehended four Zimbabwean nationals in Monavoni, Centurion.
These recent successes are part of an ongoing series of takedown operations conducted by the National Counterfeit Goods Unit over the past six months across various regions of the country, aiming to clamp down on the sale of counterfeit goods and protect consumers and legitimate businesses.
Source: SAPS
