R60m swoop at Durban harbour

THE POLICE have seized clothing worth R60 million at Durban harbour, bringing the value of counterfeit goods found at the port last year to about R10 billion.

The harbour’s operational response services unit swooped last week on a container packed with fake Nike, Adidas, Puma, Daniel Hechter, Levis and Uzzi shoes and T-shirts.

Police spokesman Colonel Vincent Mdunge said the container arrived from China on December 16. Its contents were destined for a shop in the Springfield Park area.

He said the shipment had been monitored by the national Crime Intelligence Unit for several weeks. Members of the police’s Anti-smuggling Unit and SA Revenue Service officials examined the goods, which were found to be fake. Once the investigation was finalised, the goods would be destroyed, and arrests were imminent, Mdunge said.

Earlier last year, counterfeit goods worth more than R100m

Bust brings to R10bn the value of fake goods seized in 2011

were intercepted at the harbour by police during Operation Duty Calls, and goods worth a further R15m were seized in July.

“Our operations ensure that the number of counterfeit goods that infiltrate the market is minimal,” said Mdunge.

“Those that do slip through the system are often sold on the black market. But several reputable stores are also being investigated for selling these illegal goods. Unfortunately, the customer only finds out a few weeks or months down the line when the garment shows wear and tear.

“By then it is too late. These garments do not carry any guarantees.”

Brigadier Anthony Gopaul, the section head of the harbour’s operational response services unit, said last week’s bust was part of Operation Nortje, launched in memory of Warrant Officer Johan Nortje, who was shot dead outside his home a year ago.

He was an officer in the police’s protection security service, and was responsible for investigating the smuggling of goods and drugs through Durban harbour. A hit was allegedly ordered on his life after he made a R100m counterfeit bust at the harbour.