OVER R350 MILLION IN COUNTERFEIT AND ILLICIT GOODS SEIZED, 33 SUSPECTS ARRESTED DURING RECENT NATIONWIDE OPERATIONS
Pretoria, 10 January 2026; During the busiest retail season of the year, the South African Police Service (SAPS) and its crime fighting partners collectively seized counterfeit and illicit goods worth more than R350 million during nationwide takedown operations.
Led by the national and provincial Counterfeit, Contraband, and Illicit Goods Units, multi-disciplinary operations were carried out in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, and Western Cape respectively during the month of December 2025.
Nearly 600 000 counterfeit and illicit goods were seized which included high end designer branded clothing, sports apparel, footwear, jewellery, cosmetics, and cell phone accessories.
Also, amongst the seized items are illicit pharmaceuticals worth over R1 million, as well as illicit cigarettes, liquor, and other consumables.
Police collectively arrested 33 suspects during these operations for various offences such as dealing in Counterfeit Goods, possession of drugs, contravention of the Medicine Control Act, the Liquor Act, Second-Hand Goods Act, and the Immigration Act.
In its on-going efforts to dismantle criminal networks, the SAPS extends its sincere appreciation to all participating government departments, other law enforcement agencies and partners for their continued collaboration and commitment to combat the trade in counterfeit, contraband, and illicit goods.
Before you buy counterfeit goods, always remember:
▶️ Counterfeit and illicit goods pose serious risks to consumers, legitimate businesses, and the economy of the country;
▶️ These products are often manufactured and distributed outside regulated systems, with no regard for quality standards, safety, or lawful trade practices;
▶️ Legitimate manufacturers and retailers lose market share to illegal traders, leading to reduced production and unemployment.
