Net closes in on illicit goods trade

The South African Police Service (SAPS) says it remains relentless in its pursuit to dismantle the trade in counterfeit and illicit goods nationwide. On Friday, the National Counterfeit Goods Unit led an operation in the Johannesburg CBD which resulted in the arrest of two Chinese nationals and the seizure of counterfeit goods with an estimated value of R5.8 million. Police also arrested two Ethiopian nationals for contravening the Immigration Act No. 13 of 2002 during the operation. Almost 7 000 counterfeit items imitating well-known brands were seized, which included sports apparel, clothing, shoes, perfumes, sunglasses, watches and bags. The team comprised SAPS members from various specialised units, officials from the South African Revenue Service (SARS), Gauteng Traffic's Saturation Unit, Brand Protectors, Crime Prevention Wardens and private security. In the past eight months, the National Counterfeit Unit, in collaboration with its various crime fighting partners, seized over R400 million worth of counterfeit and illicit goods during various takedown operations in different parts of the country. The unit was established in November last year. Source: South African Government News Agency