Cape Town – Two suspects were been arrested for allegedly selling knock-offs of various luxury brands valued at approximately R6 million in Eastgate.
The counterfeit goods included bags, clothes and shoes of the luxury brands such as Gucci and Chanel, police said.
According to police spokesperson, Colonel Dimakatso Sello peddling counterfeit goods was a crime that had a negative impact on the economy, hence police and law enforcement agencies embarked on multi-disciplinary operations to deal with the crime.
“On February 01, a team comprising of different units of SAPS in Gauteng, Customs from SARS, brand protectors and private security companies, pounced on stores selling counterfeit goods in Eastgate.
#sapsGP On 01 February 2023, a team comprising of different units of #SAPS in Gauteng, Customs from SARS, Brand Protectors and private security companies seized counterfeit goods worth approximately R6 million in Eastgate. Two suspects arrested. MLhttps://t.co/oWbXT5ZPv0 pic.twitter.com/pMygmo8FKa
— SA Police Service ?? (@SAPoliceService) February 1, 2023
“The team seized counterfeit goods worth approximately R6m and arrested two men found in possession and selling the goods. The goods included bags, shoes and clothes,” said Sello in a statement.
Two suspects have been charged under the Counterfeit Goods Act and will appear in court soon.
Provincial Commissioner of Police in Gauteng, Lieutenant-General Elias Mawela, has welcomed the arrest and commended the team for their unabated efforts in curbing this kind of crime.
“The business of counterfeit goods impact negatively on our economy because those dealing in this business evade taxes. I applaud the team for working together in dealing decisively with those contravening the act,” said Mawela.
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Picture: Twitter/ @SAPoliceService
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Compiled by Olwethu Mpeshe
