Specialised police forces yesterday (Sunday 13 October) busted a loot of counterfeit sporting goods with an estimated street value of R2,5 million after investigating a suspicious delivery truck at a premises in Stikland, Bellville.
Provincial police spokesperson WO Joseph Swartbooi on Sunday confirmed that no arrests had yet been made.
The integrated operation kicked off at around 09:00 in Brug Street as forces descended on identified premises where they found a Scania truck. “The members searched the suspicious-looking truck and found 22 bags containing well-known branded sporting socks,” said Swartbooi.
The warrant was exercised by police members attached to the Provincial Counterfeit and illicit Goods Policing Team and Anti-Economic task team.
A thorough search of the contents of the truck saw the confiscation of a consignment of sports goods.
“Although arrests are yet to be made, counterfeit goods valued at over R2,5 million were seized,” Swartbooi said. The Provincial Commissioner of the Western Cape, Lt-Gen Thembisile Patekile, considers trade in counterfeit goods as “economic sabotage”.
He vowed the team would continue to remove counterfeit goods from the streets of the Western Cape. He issued a stern warning to landlords who are aware of illegal activities on their premises, that they are also within the police’s sights.
