Counterfeit Merchandise Worth Over a R1-million Seized in Gauteng
Reading Time: 3 minutesPolice have seized over a R1-million worth of counterfeit sports apparel ahead of the Springboks vs New Zealand rugby match. Read more about what they discovered.
Image Credit: SAPS Gauteng
Counterfeit merchandise may be cheaper than the branded gear sold by authorized retailers but there is a reason for the price difference. Retailers who sell the branded items are legitimate, their items are of a better quality and the merchandise is made up to standard to name a few reasons why the pricing differs. There are many other reasons such as the quality of the materials used, the environment in which the items are produced and the health of the consumer is taken into account when producing these items.
However, there will always be a market for these items because many are unable to afford the prices at legitimate retailers. This is not a reason to produce knock-offs because it is a criminal offence to do so. The better bet would be to create items that still celebrate an idea while creating your own mark in the process to be unique.
Counterfeit gear and equipment
After an intelligence-driven operation members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) in Johannesburg, together with other law enforcement agencies and stakeholders, seized more than 1 700 counterfeit sports apparel and footwear items, as well as manufacturing equipment, with an estimated value of more than R1.5 million.
SAPS spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Amanda van Wyk said: “Acting on intelligence, the National Counterfeit and Illicit Goods Unit led a multi-disciplinary takedown operation at a storage facility in the Johannesburg CBD this past week.
Van Wyk said the operation involved members of the Gauteng Counterfeit and Illicit Goods Unit, Public Order Policing (POP) Unit, Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD), South African Revenue Service (SARS) Customs Division and brand protection representatives.
Significant quantity of sports apparel
Van Wyk said the team executed several search-and-seizure warrants and uncovered a significant quantity of counterfeit goods, including sports apparel and footwear bearing protected and well-known brands, including Springboks-branded merchandise.
“The timing of the seizure is particularly significant as South Africans and rugby supporters prepare for the Springboks’ upcoming encounter against New Zealand, a period when demand for team-branded merchandise is expected to increase,” said van Wyk.
Production materials and labels
In addition to the counterfeit merchandise, police seized manufacturing equipment and materials believed to have been used in the production and distribution of counterfeit goods. These include counterfeit labels and stickers, an embossing machine and silkscreen plates.
The operation forms part of ongoing nationwide efforts by SAPS and its law enforcement partners to disrupt and dismantle criminal networks involved in the manufacture, distribution and sale of counterfeit and illicit goods.
Police have urged members of the public to remain vigilant and to purchase sports merchandise from legitimate and authorized retailers. The public is also encouraged to report suspected counterfeit goods to the relevant authorities.
Images are courtesy of the SAPS who were involved in this raid.