PRETORIA – The Hawks Intellectual Property Rights Section from Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team, together with Tactical Operations Management Section (TOMS) both from Head office as well as brand protector experts from Spoor and Fisher Attorney execututed a search and seizure operation in keeping with Counterfeit Goods Act 37 of 1997.

The joint team pounced in on the a warehouse facility in Tulisa Park, Johannesburg on Friday, 22 April 2022 following an in-depth investigation into Counterfeit vehicle bearing spares sold to motorists under the guise of genuine NSK products.

Samples of the NSK bearings were purchased during the investigation into allegations of selling and distribution of Counterfeit vehicle spares and a search warrant was successfully obtained.

Large quantities of bearings with NSK Brand and Logo were found in what turned out to be a huge scale distribution warehouse facility. All the goods to the estimated value of R5 million were seized for further investigation.

Criminal and Civil process are underway against the suspected duo aged 49 and 52, they will at the later stage be served with J175 summons to appear in court for contravention of the counterfeit goods Act once all investigations are concluded.

Meanwhile the case against the 42-year-old suspect and his accomplice daughter who allegedly manufactured and distributed a large scale of counterfeit washing powder at their clandestine factory valued at R1.3 million in Springs, were served with J175 summons and are expected to appear in the Springs Magistrate court on the 25 May 2022.

Source: South African Police Service