South African police have confiscated counterfeit and illicit goods valued at more than R350 million during a large-scale December operation spanning three provinces.
According to SAPS spokesperson Amanda van Wyk, the coordinated takedown targeted KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng and the Western Cape, resulting in the arrest of 33 suspects.
Several of the suspects were also found to be in violation of the Immigration Act, further broadening the scope of the investigation.
Authorities seized more than 600,000 illegal products, including large quantities of illicit medication the majority of which were sexual enhancement drugs as well as counterfeit cosmetics.
Van Wyk said investigators believe those already in custody could provide crucial information about the criminal networks behind the manufacturing and distribution of the counterfeit goods.
“We believe suspects who have been arrested will assist in leading us to those behind the network that supplies and distributes these counterfeit goods,” she said.
She also issued a warning to consumers, urging the public to avoid purchasing products from illegal markets.
The message is simple: if the deal looks too good to be true, it probably comes with a criminal record.