Police sniff out fake perfume worth over US$84,000

Police in the Eastern Cape have busted a store in the Eastern Cape for stocking fake perfume with an estimated value of R1.2 million.

CAPE TOWN, April 23 (ANA) – Police in the Eastern Cape have busted a store in North Street in the North End of Gqeberha with fake perfume with an estimated value of R1.2 million (about US$84,000).

Provincial police spokesperson Colonel Priscila Naidu said in a statement that the commander of the Port of Ngqura, Colonel Christopher Zondi, received information of counterfeit perfumes being sold at a shop on Thursday at about 9.30am.

A joint operation was put in place with the Port of Ngqura border policing and patent attorneys Spoor and Fisher.

Police accompanied by the representative from the patent attorney’s office searched the store and discovered a total of 751 units of ladies’ perfumes called Lady Million and seized it.

“The fake perfumes seized have an estimated value of R1.2 million. A warning was issued to the owner of the store for contravention of patent law through trading in counterfeit goods,” Naidu said.

The goods were handed over to the registered patent attorneys for storage at a licensed facility.

Naidu said the police will continue their multidisciplinary operations to stop the illegal trade in counterfeit goods as it harms the economy.

Eastern Cape provincial commissioner Lieutenant-General Liziwe Ntshinga welcomed the seizure and praised Zondi and his team for their swift action.

Ntshinga said in order for the illicit trade and counterfeiting of goods to be curbed, communities need to report any information relating to such offences.

“The SAPS is taking a strong stance to eliminate illegal trading in counterfeit goods, which ultimately affects our economy.

“We encourage the communities to assist law enforcement in clamping down on such trade. Operations such as this will be effected on a continuous basis,” she said.

Residents are urged to report crimes to the illicit crime hotline on 0800 014 856. Alternatively, an email can be sent to [email protected]. All information will be dealt with in strict confidence.

– African News Agency (ANA); Editing by Yaron Blecher