BLOEMFONTEIN – The multidisciplinary Free State Police Operational Command Centre team continued fight against the thriving illicit trade in counterfeit goods within Bloemfontein. This led to the arrest of two youths yesterday, Saturday, 14 March after discovery of counterfeit liquor in a vehicle they were travelling in.
Police busted the suspected illicit traders, a 24-year-old male and a 22-year-old female, on the N6 while travelling in a Toyota Hilux bakkie. They are expected to appear in the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court, soon facing charges of possession of counterfeit goods.
According to reports, the counterfeit alcohol market in South Africa is rapidly booming with growth valued at over R25 billion while the counterfeit products is accounting for about 31% of the total illicit alcohol market.
Sgt. Mahlomola Kareli, provincial spokesperson for the Free State police, said members acted on intelligence information leading to the pair’s arrest at about 15:00.
He said that after a thorough search of the vehicle, members discovered several boxes of counterfeit liquor.
“The estimated street value of the seized goods is R105,000. They were unable to provide valid invoices or account for the origin of the merchandise, leading to their immediate arrest,” said Kareli.
He said the pair were traveling from Queenstown towards Bloemfontein via the N6. The vehicle has been impounded as part of an investigation into illicit liquor trading.
The arresting officers are part of the multidisciplinary police team, which consists of Pro-active Policing, Public Order Police, Mounted, K9, Visible Policing, and Corporate Communication and Liaison.
The team is operation in Bloemfontein’s CBD following deployment on Friday, 13 March, ensuring safety and security as part of a Special Official Funeral Category 2, of Mosiuoa Patrick “Terror” Lekota. The co-founding leader of the Congress of the People (COPE) funeral was conducted yesterday, on Saturday, 14 March.
