Police-led inter-provincial border operation leads to discovery of fake goods worth over R7.5 m in transit

COLESBERG: A multi-disciplinary police-led inter-provincial cross-border operation has resulted in a significant crackdown on syndicates trading in illicit goods. The include counterfeit items as clothing and cigarettes to suspected stolen goods.

The operation, conducted over three days from 19 to 21 August, involved officials from the South African Revenue Service’s Customs and police from the Northern Cape, Western Cape, Eastern Cape and Free State.

Sgt. Timothy Sam, spokesperson for the Northern Cape police, said the operations around Colesberg, a boundary marker between the Northern Cape and the Free State provinces, dealt a blow to the trade and distribution of illicit cigarettes after members discovered counterfeit cigarettes valued at approximately R7.5 million.

Sam said vigilant members assigned to the multidisciplinary operation made a significant breakthrough in counterfeit cigarette trading with discoveries at two separate places and a large consignment loaded in a truck in Colesberg.

“Search warrants were obtained and executed, resulting in the seizure of counterfeit cigarettes valued at approximately R370,000. Members of the Colesberg police, including Crime Intelligence and SARS Customs, used intelligence-driven information that led to the discovery of counterfeit cigarettes at a general dealer in Kerk Street. At a filling station in Station Road, additional counterfeit cigarettes worth an estimated R590,000 were confiscated,” said Sam.

He said intelligence led to the discovery of a large consignment of counterfeit cigarettes loaded in a truck. “The consignment valued at approximately R2.5 million was seized, including the truck. The owners were issued a seven-day notice to provide original documentation for these goods,” said Sam.

Capping the operation was the discovery of suspected stolen goods, including perfumes, counterfeit clothing and numerous cellphones in transit in a private vehicle. “The suspected stolen cell phones’ serial numbers have been erased and their value is estimated at R50,000. The suspect was arrested and the vehicle, a maroon VW Polo, believed to have been used in the commission of the crime, was seized,” said Sam, adding that the suspect was expected to appear in the Colesberg Magistrates Court soon and that investigations into illicit goods are ongoing.