White River – Acting on a tip-off, police swooped on a Rocky Drift premises in the White River Industrial area, Mpumalanga, and found two Toyota Fortuner vehicles, a fake ambulance stuffed with counterfeit goods worth millions of rand.
The counterfeit goods included sneakers, illicit cigarettes, body creams, and hairpieces.
Hawks spokesperson in Mpumalanga Captain Dineo Sekgotodi said two suspects found on the premises were arrested after they failed to provide a clear explanation of the items.
Giving more details regarding the search, Captain Dineo Sekgotodi said: “A large amount of money was found inside the two vehicles and seized”.
“Further information led the team to a storage facility that was locked.
“Upon opening, the team found a panelvan branded like an ambulance full of counterfeit goods.”
The suspects, both Ethiopians, were expected to appear in court today, (Wednesday 27 November 2024).
Captain Sekgotodi said the team of law enforcers involved in the raid on Monday (25 November 2024) included SA Police Service officers from White River, Crime Intelligence, the Hawks, Customs and Excise, and security companies.
The raid came after police received information about suspicious activities in the White River industrial area.
Before the raid, police monitored the goings-on at the identified premises, and gathered more information.
Commenting on the matter Mpumalanga head of the Hawks, Major General Gerber, assured the public that all information received is confidential.
He warned the public against buying illicit products and advised that it was safer to purchase well-known brands from regulated retailers.
Major General Gerber said Illicit trade hurts the economy and poses “potential dangers to public health”.
In recent months several children have died allegedly from eating contaminated snacks bought at Spaza shops.
