The Gauteng Provincial Counterfeit Unit, working in partnership with brand protection experts, has intensified operations to combat the manufacturing, storage and distribution of counterfeit, contraband and illicit goods across the province.
Between 20 and 23 July 2026, the unit conducted coordinated enforcement operations in the Sedibeng, West Rand, Tshwane and Johannesburg districts, resulting in the seizure of counterfeit and illicit goods with an estimated value of more than R27.5 million.
Sedibeng District – Orange Farm
On 20 July 2026, the multidisciplinary team inspected four shops at six addresses in Orange Farm. During the operation, members uncovered an illegal operation manufacturing and packaging counterfeit snuff products. Authorities detained approximately 10 kilograms of counterfeit Taxi and Ntsu snuff, 1 500 empty containers, shrink labels, a heat gun and a sealing machine, with an estimated value of R10 000.
West Rand District – Carletonville
On 21 July 2026, the team conducted inspections at four shops in Carletonville. Authorities seized 2 877 counterfeit items, including cellphone accessories, consumables and clothing, with an estimated value of R436 950.
Tshwane District – Hercules
On 22 July 2026, six shops were inspected in Hercules, where authorities confiscated 1 874 items comprising counterfeit consumables, jewellery, illicit poison, pharmaceutical products and illicit honey.
Johannesburg District – Jeppe
On 23 July 2026, members executed a search and seizure warrant at five storage units in Jeppe. The operation resulted in one of the largest counterfeit product seizures recorded this year.
Authorities confiscated:
* 41 120 counterfeit Rizla dispensers valued at R16 874 000;
* 522 000 counterfeit Trust condom packets valued at R8 200 000; and
* 4 200 counterfeit Darling hair pieces valued at R126 000.
In total, 567 320 counterfeit items with an estimated value of R25.2 million were seized during the Jeppe operation.
Across all four operations, authorities confiscated more than 572 000 counterfeit and illicit items with a combined estimated value exceeding R27.5 million.
Police have reaffirmed their commitment to working closely with brand owners, regulatory authorities and other law enforcement partners to identify and dismantle criminal networks involved in counterfeit and illicit trade across Gauteng.
#fightingcrime
Counterfeit and illicit goods with an estimated value of more than R27.5 million were seized https://t.co/gtAglDsbCf#ArriveAlive #Crime #CounterfeitGoods @SAPoliceService pic.twitter.com/It0Zt4LjAO
– Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) July 24, 2026
