Gauteng police have confiscated counterfeit, contraband and illicit goods worth more than R500 000 during a three-day operation targeting illegal trade in Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni.
The operations, conducted between 23 and 25 June, focused on the Cleveland and Langlaagte areas in the Johannesburg District and Germiston in the Ekurhuleni District. They were carried out by the Gauteng Counterfeit Unit in partnership with Brand Protectors and the Department of Agriculture.
According to Gauteng police, officers confiscated counterfeit consumables and illicit pesticides worth approximately R8 600 during Tuesday’s operation in Cleveland.
On Wednesday, police conducted follow-up operations in Langlaagte, where they seized counterfeit goods valued at an estimated R156 666. Officers also confiscated illicit honey and pesticides worth approximately R194 935. The final operation was carried out in Germiston on Thursday, where police confiscated counterfeit consumables, cell phone accessories, illicit pesticides and illicit liquor with an estimated value of R162 340. Police also issued non-compliance notices to 14 businesses, while one shop was served with a prohibition-of-sale notice for failing to comply with the relevant legislation.
Gauteng police warned that counterfeit, contraband and illicit products pose serious risks to consumers, particularly counterfeit food, alcohol and agricultural products that may be unsafe for public use.
The police urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report businesses suspected of selling counterfeit or illicit goods. Anyone with information about the manufacture, distribution or sale of counterfeit products is encouraged to report it to their nearest police station, contact the Crime Stop hotline on 08600 10111, or submit anonymous tip-offs through the MySAPS App.
Police said operations targeting counterfeit and illicit trade will continue as part of ongoing efforts to protect consumers and combat organised crime across Gauteng.By Mpho Khumalo
Gauteng police have confiscated counterfeit, contraband and illicit goods worth more than R500 000 during a three-day operation targeting illegal trade in Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni. The operations, conducted between 23 and 25 June, focused on the Cleveland and Langlaagte areas in the Johannesburg District and Germiston in the Ekurhuleni District. They were carried out by the Gauteng Counterfeit Unit in partnership with Brand Protectors and the Department of Agriculture.
According to Gauteng police, officers confiscated counterfeit consumables and illicit pesticides worth approximately R8 600 during Tuesday’s operation in Cleveland.
On Wednesday, police conducted follow-up operations in Langlaagte, where they seized counterfeit goods valued at an estimated R156 666. Officers also confiscated illicit honey and pesticides worth approximately R194 935. The final operation was carried out in Germiston on Thursday, where police confiscated counterfeit consumables, cell phone accessories, illicit pesticides and illicit liquor with an estimated value of R162 340.
Police also issued non-compliance notices to 14 businesses, while one shop was served with a prohibition-of-sale notice for failing to comply with the relevant legislation.
Gauteng police warned that counterfeit, contraband and illicit products pose serious risks to consumers, particularly counterfeit food, alcohol and agricultural products that may be unsafe for public use.
The police urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report businesses suspected of selling counterfeit or illicit goods.
Anyone with information about the manufacture, distribution or sale of counterfeit products is encouraged to report it to their nearest police station, contact the Crime Stop hotline on 08600 10111, or submit anonymous tip-offs through the MySAPS App. Police said operations targeting counterfeit and illicit trade will continue as part of ongoing efforts to protect consumers and combat organised crime across Gauteng.
