R10 mil counterfeit goods recovered, packaging plants raided, Midrand

South African Police Service

R10 mil counterfeit goods recovered, packaging plants raided, Midrand
R10 mil counterfeit goods recovered, packaging plants raided, Midrand. Photo: SAPS

Alcohol products including various brands, bottling capping machine, packaging machines, imported spice counterfeit products in bags and counterfeit spice packaging materials for a well-known spice producing company worth millions of rand were seized by members of the Gauteng Organised Crime Unit at two different warehouses in Midrand today.

Three suspects have been taken into custody and will be charged with fraud and charges related to tax evasion.

In one of the warehouses various brands of alcohol including White Horse, Captain Morgan, J&B, Jameson and Smirnoff destined for export market were being recapped and several identification marks removed for the purpose of selling them to the local market for cheaper prices. It is suspected that they are being purchased at a cheaper price as products intended for export market and thereby fraudulently evading to pay tax included at all the goods sold in the local markets.

In a second warehouse, police seized packing machines, packaged counterfeit spices and packets as well spice powder in hundreds of bags. Two suspects were found inside the premises while they were busy producing spices and packing them in packets for a well-known spice company.

The suspects will be detained at Midrand while police are still conducting further investigations relating to their unlawful activities.

South Africa Today – South Africa News

SOURCESouth African Police Service