During the operation, two suspects who were determined to be illegal foreign nationals were also detained.

Police spokeswoman Amanda van Wyk said these items included medicine, clothing, watches, bags, cosmetics and perfume.

The multi-disciplinary operation targeted shopping centers in the Johannesburg CBD on Friday, with police acting on search and seizure warrants.

“The takedown was carried out by the Gauteng Provincial Fraud Unit, Public Order Policing, the South African Revenue Service (SARS), the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA), the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD), the National Counterfeit Products Unit, in which Brand participated.” managed by Guardians, Crime Prevention Officers and private security personnel,” says Van Wyk.

He added that the South African Police Service (SAPS), together with its partners, was committed to eliminating the illegal trade in counterfeit goods to protect consumers, legitimate businesses and the economy.