Police seize counterfeit goods worth over R160m in Johannesburg CBD

Counterfeit goods worth more than R160m were seized during a crackdown in the Johannesburg CBD this week, police said.

SAPS’ national counterfeit and illicit goods unit carried out a multidisciplinary operation with support from the public order policing unit in Pretoria, the South African Revenue Services’ customs division, and brand protectors.

Together they executed search-and-seizure warrants at several identified shops 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.

Police spokesperson Col Amanda van Wyk said the operation was part of ongoing nationwide efforts to dismantle the illegal trade, manufacturing, and distribution of counterfeit and illicit goods .

She said the public should be reminded that counterfeit goods infringe on the intellectual property rights of legitimate brand owners and pose serious health and safety risks to consumers.

The products were often manufactured and distributed outside regulated systems and did not comply with quality standards, safety or lawful trade practices.