Investigators and customs officers from the South African Revenue Service made another significant detention of suspected counterfeit World Cup related items. This is the second major operation carried out by SARS officials in the Johannesburg city district this week.
The team of SARS officials, who are currently still on location have already detained over an estimated R10 million in FIFA related gear in the operation which started early this morning from five storage facilities located at the building at the corner of Bree and Von Willigh Street.
Included in the consignment of detained items thus far, are Bafana Bafana, England and Brazil and Argentina, football jerseys. The suspected goods have been detained after the owners of the goods failed to provide SARS officials with required import documentation.
On Tuesday this week, the same team detained an estimated R7 million worth of suspected counterfeit items in the same area in Johannesburg. Given the size of the bust, SARS suspects that it is one of the major supply hubs of counterfeit clothing to traders in the greater Gauteng area.
SARS Officials are still moving the goods from facilities in Von Willigh Street to the State warehouse with assistance and protection from Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department.
Issued by: South African Revenue Service
4 June 2010
Source: South African Revenue Service (http://www.sars.gov.za)
