In a fight against waves of counterfeit goods posing a huge
health risk to local communities, Western Cape police cracked down on an
illegal operation housing illicit tobacco products, estimated at more than
R250 000, in Bellville CBD yesterday (Wednesday 5 February).
The integrated operation kicked off in the area around
09:30, with efforts led by members of the Western Cape Provincial Counterfeit
and Illicit Goods Policing Team together with the Provincial Anti – Economic
Crimes Task Team and Brand Protectors from Micor Investigation Services.
“The members conducted a search of various shops, where 5
861 illicit tobacco products with an estimated street value of around R250 135
were seized,” according to a report released by the office of the Provincial
Commissioner for the Western Cape. “Two male foreign nationals aged 24 and 44
were arrested and detained at the Bellville Police Station.”
The duo is expected to appear in the Bellville Magistrates’
Court under the Tobacco Products Control Act of 1993, once charged.
The report affirmed the task force’s mission: “[We] remain devoted to the fight against the
scourge of counterfeit goods, which pose a huge health risk to communities and,
furthermore, impact negatively on businesses and the economy of our country.”
