PE shops raided, R1 million worth of counterfeit goods recovered

South African Police Service

PE shops raided, R1 million worth of counterfeit goods recovered
PE shops raided, R1 million worth of counterfeit goods recovered. Photo: SAPS

South African Police Service efforts to rid the province of illicit and counterfeit goods continues to yield good results. This follows the seizure of various items with a total estimated value of more than R1 million by Border Policing on 9 September 2019.

As the proliferation of the counterfeit goods continue to pose a serious risk to the country’s economy, the efforts of Border Policing members together with patent attorneys who represent the branded items (Spoor & Fischer and ChaseWaterFord) also intensifies.

It is alleged that on 9 September 2019, several shops in and around Korsten, Port Elizabeth were inspected for possible seizure on counterfeit items. The following goods were identified, seized and handed for safekeeping:

996 x Samsung cellphone accessories valued at R362 016. 00
7 330 x Viagra tablets valued at R733 000. 00
665 x Always sanitary pads valued at R16 625. 00
158 x Kiwi black polish valued at R3950. 00
41 cartoons of illicit cigarettes valued at R12 070. 00
400 x Adcodol tablets valued at R8000. 00

The identities/ documentation of the shop owners were also verified and some were warned to ensure that the documentation does not expire. Warnings were also issued to them as first offenders for dealing with counterfeit goods.

Eastern Cape Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Liziwe Ntshinga commended the partnership between Border Policing members and the patent attorneys. “The cooperation between Border Policing members and the patent attorneys will continue to ensure that the proliferation of these illicit and counterfeit goods is curbed, more counterfeit goods are seized and the province is rid of these illicit and counterfeit goods,” said Lt Gen Ntshinga.

“The community is fervently urged to refrain from buying counterfeit goods and to report any suspicious behaviour to the police as our country continue to lose tax revenue due to this trade,” she concluded.

South Africa Today – South Africa News

SOURCESouth African Police Service