LOOK: Police seize counterfeit goods worth R1.5 million in Middelburg - IOL

Police in Mpumalanga have seized counterfeit and illicit goods worth more than R1.5 million during a two-day operation targeting illegal trade in Middelburg.

Police in Mpumalanga’s Nkangala District have warned business owners against selling counterfeit and illicit goods after products worth more than R1.5 million were confiscated during a search and seizure operation in Middelburg.

The operation was conducted on Tuesday and Wednesday by members of the SAPS Counterfeit and Illicit Goods Unit, with support from Environmental Health Practitioners (EHPs) and the Department of Agriculture.

Mpumalanga police spokesperson Colonel Mavela Masondo said the operation formed part of ongoing multidisciplinary efforts to combat the trade in counterfeit and illicit goods, as well as food safety violations.

Police seized counterfeit and illicit goods, including Hamburg tea, during a two-day operation in Middelburg.

Masondo said several premises were searched during the operation, resulting in the seizure of 1,687 items.

The seized goods included cockroach-killing powder bait, cockroach glue traps, mosquito repellent, cockroach gel syringes, cigarettes, ORS Olive Oil creams and Olive Oil Glossing Hair Polisher.

Masondo said a case of selling counterfeit goods is being investigated.

“In addition, non-compliance notices were issued by the Environmental Health Practitioners and the Department of Agriculture, and further action is anticipated,” Masondo said.

He warned business owners against selling counterfeit and illicit goods, saying such products pose a serious health risk to consumers and undermine legitimate businesses.

Police confiscated Olive Oil creams and glossing hair products during a crackdown on counterfeit and illicit goods in Middelburg.

Mpumalanga provincial police commissioner Lieutenant-General Apaphia Modise commended the Counterfeit and Illicit Goods Unit and its partner departments for the seizure.

“The sale of counterfeit and illicit goods, especially consumable and chemical products, poses a serious health risk to our communities and undermines legitimate businesses.”

Modise said operations targeting illicit trade and non-compliance would continue across the province.

“We urge business owners to comply with the law and we call on communities to report those selling fake and unsafe products,” she said.

More than 1,600 counterfeit and illicit products, including cigarettes, mosquito repellent and cockroach-killing products, have been seized during a police operation in Middelburg.

People can report the sale of counterfeit and illicit goods to their nearest police station, Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or through the MySAPS app, which can be downloaded on smartphones.