Three foreign nationals, including two Eritreans and one Bangladeshi, all asylum seekers, were apprehended by the authorities in Limpopo for their involvement in dealing counterfeit and illicit goods valued at over R5 million.
The operation was carried out by the South African Police Service (SAPS) in collaboration with various law enforcement agencies in Musina. The National Counterfeit Goods Unit took the lead in the operation, with support from the Saps Gauteng Drone Team, the Bloemfontein K9 Unit, the South African Revenue Service (SARS) Customs, and brand protectors.
During the operation at a shopping mall in Musina’s central business district, more than 2,000 counterfeit and illicit items such as sneakers, clothing, cell phone accessories, perfumes, and consumables were confiscated. The two Eritrean nationals and one Bangladeshi national were arrested on charges of dealing in counterfeit goods. Additionally, the Bangladeshi national faces an extra charge of bribery for attempting to bribe officers to evade arrest.
In a related incident, a suspect was arrested for possession of a stolen vehicle after the authorities searched vehicles in the area. Furthermore, dagga and drugs were seized from an abandoned taxi after the driver and passengers fled the scene on foot.
In a separate incident in Johannesburg last December, Gauteng police seized counterfeit and illicit goods worth over R66 million. Four Malawian nationals were arrested for contravening the Immigration Act during the operation. The seized items included clothing, shoes, belts, cosmetics, cigarettes, and liquor. Additionally, bottles of illicit poison were discovered among other consumable items in storage facilities.
The authorities, along with their partners, are committed to eradicating the illegal trade of counterfeit and illicit goods, which not only pose risks to consumers but also harm legitimate businesses and undermine the country’s economy. These operations demonstrate the ongoing efforts to combat illegal activities and ensure the safety and security of the public.
