A joint operation headed off by JOCC (Joint Operation Command Centre) and the Anti Crime Force working with the Tzaneen SAPS conducted a large scale search and seizure operation yesterday throughout Tzaneen.
5 different wholesaler outlets were targeted and over R40 000 in counterfeit goods were confiscated. That’s the wholesale value… The total retail value of the products adds up to more than R700 000. Store owners were found to have the products in bulk stored in concealed storage rooms.
The specific product focused on was the Always sanitary pads that had been imported as knock-offs and being sold at the retail prices of the trademarked brand. Over 17 000 packs were confiscated.
Other products that were seized included stationery, shoe polish, illicit cigarettes, motor oil, toilet paper, razor blades – even condoms.
Louis Steekamp, Operations Director of the Anti Crime Force who has been working on the investigation of the counterfeit industry stated that along with drugs, contraband is the biggest national crime industry in South Africa. “It’s a billion dollar industry used to fund numerous major criminal organisations and syndicates”.
See also:
Contraband confiscated, and more worth millions found
R5m worth of fake Nike and Guess shoes seized
R24-million worth of counterfeit goods seized
Almost R300 000 worth of counterfeit goods seized
Two arrested, over R1.2 m worth of counterfeit goods seized
Spain dismantles one of EU’s main hubs for fake goods
R60m worth of counterfeit goods seized in Joburg CBD
