Gauteng police seize illicit goods worth R6.6 million in province-wide crackdown

Gauteng police and law-enforcement agencies seized counterfeit, contraband and illicit goods worth more than R6.6 million during operations in Boksburg, Brixton, Alrode and Randfontein.

Gauteng police have seized counterfeit, contraband and other illicit goods worth more than R6.6 million during a four-day crackdown targeting businesses and premises suspected of dealing in illegal or non-compliant products.

The multidisciplinary operations, conducted between Tuesday, August 25 and Friday, August 28, targeted areas including Boksburg, Brixton, Alrode in Alberton and Randfontein.

Police spokesperson Captain Tintswalo Sibeko said thousands of goods were seized or detained during the operations, which involved the South African Police Service (SAPS) and several regulatory and law-enforcement agencies.

The crackdown began in Boksburg on August 25, when members of the Gauteng Counterfeit Unit visited four shops.

Police seized 10 083 counterfeit consumable products valued at R107,250, along with 22 counterfeit toys worth R18,700 and 100 illicit pharmaceutical products valued at R3,500.

The following day, the Counterfeit Unit, together with the Commercial Unit and a brand protector, executed a search-and-seizure warrant at a house in Brixton.

'The operation resulted in the seizure of 16 540 counterfeit Always products, with an estimated value of R590 000."

The biggest haul came during an operation in Alrode, Alberton, on August 27.

“The operation involved members of the Gauteng Counterfeit Unit, Commercial Unit, Border Police, a brand protector, Department of Employment and Labour, National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS), Department of Health and Department of Home Affairs,” Sibeko said.

These included 11,279 boxes of pre-packed noodles ready for sale, valued at R1.297 million, 365 locally produced noodle packaging rolls worth R854,100 and 826 imported noodle packaging rolls valued at R3.679 million.

“The Department of Employment and Labour issued two notices for contraventions and improvement,” Sibeko said.

Home Affairs officials issued an infringement notice after foreign nationals were allegedly found working without valid permits, with a penalty of R10,000 levied.

The final operation, on August 28, targeted four shops in Randfontein.