Durban — Members of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), known as the Hawks, have been working together with police and brand owners to seize counterfeit goods from a container depot at Durban Harbour.
Police revealed that it stopped and inspected five containers in September 2024. Samples from the container were drawn and forwarded to brand attorneys, with the goods valued at more than R200 million, a statement read.
“It was confirmed that goods were not genuine and brand owners have no partnership or any business deal with the importers. The brands include Nike, Adidas, Polo, Vans and Vicks to the street value of approximately R212 765 959.00,” Hawks spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Simphiwe Mhlongo said.
Mhlongo said the cargo was coming from China to Johannesburg via the Durban Harbour. Hawks members were alerted and the search and seize operation was conducted. No arrests have been made yet.
KZN Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation Provincial Head, Major General Lesetja Senona, welcomed the seizure of illicit goods and commended the members for a job well done.
#sapsHAWKS #Hawks members from Durban Serious Commercial Crime Investigation working together with border police and brand owners seized counterfeit goods in one of the container depots in Durban on 19/12.
In September 2024, five containers were stopped and inspected by border… pic.twitter.com/hl5zmybcUM
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) December 24, 2024
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
