By OBAKENG MAJE
14 October 2024- The police in the Frances Baard District said they will continue to reinforce efforts to curb the sale of illicit and counterfeit goods. The Frances Baard District Crime-Intelligence unit embarked on inter-departmental operations dubbed Operation Isolate in Kimberley and Operation Cape in Hartswater from 8 until 10 October 2024.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Molefi Shemane said the Frances Baard District Crime-Intelligence unit, Hartswater Crime Intelligence, Provincial Organised Crime, Kimberley Public Order Police (POP), Kimberley K9 Unit, Provincial Corporate Communication and Liaison.
Shemane further said this includes external role-players including the South African Revenue Service (SARS) Customs National Rapid Response Team, Sol Plaatje Municipality Security Unit, Department of Home Affairs (Immigration) and the Intellectual Property Brands Attorneys and Counterfeit Investigations from Pretoria, executed the multi-disciplinary operation in Kimberley, Hartswater, Pampierstad and Barkly West.
“The Department of Home Affairs Immigration arrested 9 undocumented persons aged between 20 and 45, who shall be processed by the department.
“Section 22 search and seizure warrants were executed at identified targeted warehouses, business premises, and storage facilities, leading to the confiscation of illicit cigarettes with an estimated value of R7 851 796, counterfeit goods with an estimated value of R3 860, and expired medicines with an estimated value of R1,2 million,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, commended the collaborative efforts between the different departmental entities in the fight against crime and ensured communities that these operations will continue unabatedly.
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