Illicit
1Min
South Africa
Jan 10, 2026
Police have seized illicit and counterfeit goods worth over R350 million and arrested 33 suspects in coordinated nationwide operations targeting the illegal trade.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) has confiscated counterfeit and illicit goods valued at more than R350 million and arrested 33 suspects during coordinated operations conducted across the country.
SAPS spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Amanda van Wyk said, the arrests were made during a series of takedown operations targeting a wide range of criminal activities. The suspects face charges linked to dealing in counterfeit goods, possession of drugs, and contraventions of several laws, including the Medicines Control Act, Liquor Act, Second-Hand Goods Act and the Immigration Act.
Van Wyk said close to 600,000 counterfeit and illicit items were seized during the operations. These included high-end designer clothing, sportswear, footwear, jewellery, cosmetics and cellphone accessories.
Among the confiscated goods were illicit pharmaceutical products valued at more than R1 million, as well as illegal cigarettes, alcohol and other consumable items.
SAPS praised the efforts of all government departments, law enforcement agencies and partners involved in the operations, noting that their collaboration remains key in the fight against the trade in counterfeit, contraband and illicit goods.
The multi-disciplinary operations were led by national and provincial Counterfeit, Contraband and Illicit Goods Units and were carried out in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape during December 2025.
