South African Police Seizes Over R30 Million Worth Counterfeit Goods

The South African Police Service (SAPS) on Sunday said that the National Counterfeit Unit had sized over R30 million worth of counterfeit goods in Johannesburg in the last four weeks.

The unit successfully held the operation on Friday with the help of SAPS members, officials from the South African Revenue Services (SARS), Gauteng Traffic, Brand Protectors, Crime Prevention Wardens and security companies.

In total, 11,000 counterfeit items including clothing apparel, shoes, watches, handbags and sunglasses were seized. "This was the third takedown operation in Gauteng province in the last four weeks," the SAPS said in a statement, SA News reported.

Aside from this, three male suspects aged between 38 and 43 years were caught with unlawful possession of drugs on Friday in Bela-Bela, Limpopo. The Waterberg District Illicit Mining Task Team acted upon intelligence regarding the illicit drug activities in Bela-Bela and held a successful operation, resulting in the arrest of those three suspects.

"They were found in possession of illicit drugs, including ninety sachets of crystal meth and nyaope" the police department said, adding that "five Zimbabwean nationals were apprehended and subsequently processed for direct deportation by Immigration Officers from the Department of Home Affairs."

According to the SAPS, the team seized drugs worth around R90,000 in a targeted operation in Bela-Bela and the arrested suspects will appear before the Bela-Bela Magistrate's Court on March 11.

During Operation Vala Umgodi, the Mopani District Illicit Mining Task Team carried out searches and seized numerous mining equipment in Myakayaka village on the same day. This equipment is suspected to be linked with illegal mining activities in the Maake policing area.

"The South African Police Service is committed to combatting illegal activities and ensuring the safety and security of our communities," the SAPS said.

Earlier this year, customs officials at OR Tambo International Airport seized R37 million worth of drugs, including crystal meth and fentanyl, disguised as molded artwork.