Gauteng police carried out a multi-day crackdown on counterfeit, contraband and illegal goods across three areas, leading to seizures worth over R1.5 million and the arrest of five people.
The operations ran from Monday, 31 August to September mber 2026 in Pretoria Central, Randfontein and Carletonville. Units involved included the Gauteng Counterfeit Unit, Commercial Crime Unit and Visible Policing, working alongside brand protection officials, the Department of Health, Immigration and Traffic authorities.
The first operation in Pretoria Central targeted ten shops. Authorities confiscated 621 items valued at R20,485, including 287 fake consumables and 334 unlicensed pharmaceutical products. The items were booked into the SAPS 13 exhibit store. In Randfontein the next day, police visited four shops and seized 9,633 items worth R408,585. The haul included over 1,000 counterfeit consumables, 112 fake textiles, more than 8,000 illicit tobacco products, plus pharmaceuticals, poison and fake honey.
A third sweep in Pretoria Central on Wednesday led to two arrests for dealing in counterfeit goods. Police executed two search-and-seizure warrants, opened one case docket, and confiscated 120 fake consumable items valued at R10,400. The biggest bust came in Carletonville on Thursday during an Integrated Government Relations operation. Officers recovered 39,100 packets of suspected stolen cigarettes worth about R1,020,000 and arrested one suspect. They also arrested one undocumented foreign national and another person for employing them. Additional seizures there included counterfeit toys, textiles, consumables, honey and medicines valued at R52,680.
In total, police visited 20 shops, executed two warrants and opened one enquiry. The four-day campaign yielded 50,991 items with an estimated value of R1,512,150. Authorities said the operations form part of ongoing efforts to curb illicit trade and protect public health in Gauteng.
Gauteng Police Seize R1.5 Million in Counterfeit and Illicit Goods, Five Arrested
