Gauteng police nab Pakistani national for possession of counterfeit goods worth R3m

Police say the Pakistani man was nabbed for trying to bribe officers during the search and seizure operation targeting shops at a local shopping centre.

The National Counterfeit Goods Unit led an integrated take down operation in Midrand on Thursday, 16 May 2024, resulting in the seizure of counterfeit goods worth over R3 million and the arrest of one Pakistani national for bribery. Picture: South African Police Service on X

CAPE TOWN - Gauteng police say they have made a huge counterfeit goods bust worth R3 million and arrested a Pakistani national during a takedown operation in Midrand.

Police say the Pakistani man was nabbed for trying to bribe officers during the search and seizure operation targeting shops at a local shopping centre.

Over 4,000 fake items including sports apparel, shoes, and cellphones were seized, said the police.

Last week four Zimbabwean nationals were nabbed in Pretoria with counterfeit petroleum oil worth over R200,000.

"These recent successes follow similar takedown operations led by the National Counterfeit Goods Unit over the last six months in different parts of the country," said police spokesperson Amanda van Wyk.