MORE THAN R30 MILLION IN COUNTERFEIT AND ILLICIT GOODS SEIZED, FIVE SUSPECTS ARRESTED IN RECENT NATIONWIDE OPERATIONS
Pretoria, 15 November 2025; The South African Police Service (SAPS) and its crime fighting partners collectively seized counterfeit and illicit goods worth more than R30 million during recent nationwide takedown operations.
Over the past two weeks, multidisciplinary teams, led by the national and provincial Counterfeit, Contraband and Illicit Goods Units, executed search and seizure warrants targeting shops and storage facilities in KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, and Western Cape.
This led to the seizure of more than 800 000 counterfeit and illicit items, including clothing, footwear, pharmaceuticals, tobacco products, toys, non-compliant electronic products and appliances, food stuff, a gambling machine, insecticides, and cell phone accessories, among other goods.
Also amongst the seized items are embroidery machines, silk screen printing machines, labels, and packaging materials.
In addition, police in KwaZulu-Natal arrested five suspects during separate operations. One suspect was apprehended for contravening the Tobacco Products Control Act, while three others will face additional charges for violating the Immigration Act. In another operation, police arrested a suspect for the illegal possession of a gambling machine.
During these operations, the Counterfeit, Contraband and Illicit Goods Units received invaluable support from internal role players, various other law enforcement and regulatory partners, including Public Order Policing (POP) Units, Border Policing, Commercial Crime detectives, K9 Units, the KwaZulu-Natal Drug and Firearm Unit, local police stations, the Durban Metro Police, the National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS), Department of Health, Department of Agriculture, Department of Home Affairs, National Consumer Council, the Gambling Board, and brand protectors.
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.
Moreover, legitimate manufacturers and retailers lose market share to illegal traders, leading to reduced production and unemployment.
The SAPS extends its sincere appreciation to all participating departments and partners for their continued collaboration and commitment to combating counterfeit, contraband, and illicit goods.
