Police and the South African Revenue Service (Sars) have recovered counterfeit goods worth more than R1.5 million at South Africa’s Lebombo Border Post with Mozambique.
SA Police Services (Saps) spokesperson Brigadier Selvy Mohlala said a Mozambican articulated Freightliner truck valued at about R2 million had allegedly attempted to gain entry to the country with the counterfeit goods.
He said the truck was transporting counterfeit jeans and takkies worth around R1 503 000 when police and Sars officials intercepted it.
“The driver fled from the scene, leaving behind the truck with the luggage.
“Both the truck and the luggage were confiscated and further investigation is being conducted in conjunction with Interpol to trace the owners of the truck as well as those who were behind the smuggling of the goods,” he said.
Saps provincial police commissioner Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela commended police for the arrest.
"Day by day criminals try their luck to cripple the economy of the Republic but we assure the public that we will continue to clamp down on illicit operations," Manamela said.
Mohlala called on the public to assist with information that may assist in the investigation, including details of the whereabouts of the driver.
