A search and seizure operation at a house in Selection Park, Springs on Friday, 01 April ended in tears for a 42-year-old man.
A disruptive search operation was followed by an in-depth investigations into the manufacturing and sale of counterfeit washing powder at the said premises.
“Samples of the counterfeit products were purchased whilst the Intellectual Property Rights Section of the Serious Commercial Crime Investigation based at the Hawks head office were carrying out their preliminary investigation along with brand protectors,” the police said.
The HAWKS found that the house was a large scale manufacturing and distribution facility.
“Huge amounts of raw materials including machinery as well as industrial sifting machine, unbranded washing powder along with counterfeit labels bearing well-known trademarks of various proprietors, sodium, filled and empty buckets, electronic scale, colouring and dye were all found and seized for further investigation. The combined value of all the goods seized has not yet been established,” the cops said.
The 42-year-old suspect will be served with summons to appear at the Springs Magistrates court for contravention of the counterfeit goods Act 37 of1997 once all investigations are concluded.
