Johannesburg – The Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) K9 unit has arrested two middle-aged men in Eikenhof for Contravention of the Customs and Excise Act, Counterfeit Goods Acts and bribery.
JMPD made the arrest on Wednesday during a crime prevention patrol.
Officers stopped a suspicious white Toyota Quantum panel van along Swartkoppies and Old Vereeniging (R82) roads in Kibler Park.
Upon searching the vehicle, they discovered a large quantity of new branded headgear and clothing items.
Unable to produce a receipt for the goods, the driver agreed to lead the JMPD officers to where he got them – a plot in Eikenhof, south of Johannesburg.
On arrival, the officers discovered embroidery machines on the premises that were being used to produce branded goods that included caps, hats and other clothing items.
The South African Police Service, Customs from SA Revenue Service and Brand Protectors were called to check the authenticity of the items recovered.
During the process, the alleged kingpin attempted to bribe the officers with R30 000 to get himself and his accomplice released.
The arrested pair have since been identified as foreign nationals – one is Chinese and the other is Zimbabwean.
The counterfeit goods and embroidery machines with a combined estimated value of R 3 075 000 have been seized.
