Three suspects have been arrested and charged with possession of counterfeit goods worth R1 million in Mpumalanga. 

Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane said that the suspects, aged between 30 and 38, were nabbed on the N4 Road in Middleburg during a stop and search by the Middleburg Flying Squad/ 

Ndubane said police received intelligence about a truck that was seen loading some suspected illicit goods in Nelspruit. 

“This particular truck was heading towards the N4 Middelburg Toll Plaza and had three occupants inside, two women from Mozambique, as well as the male driver,” said Ndubane.

The driver is said to have indicated that the truck was empty, but the police continued to engage him, trying to understand the reason behind locking an empty truck. 

“It was at this point that the driver was asked about a written document for the seal; however, the driver failed to produce it and further admitted to having given the female occupants a lift.

The members then later discovered large boxes covered with black refuse bags wrapped in sellotape. 

Upon further investigation, it was established that the boxes contained sneakers, slides, soccer boots, and different brands of flip-flops inside,” said Ndubane.

Ndubane said that preliminary investigations suggest that the goods could have been heading to Johannesburg.

The confiscated items are 15 large boxes of sneakers, flip-flops, and slides with different labels, colours, and sizes. 52  large forensic bags with different serial numbers that contained sneakers, slides, and flip-flops with different labels, sizes, and colours.

“The estimated value of all the goods is at about R1 million, and the truck was seized for further investigation.

All three suspects were charged accordingly for possession of counterfeit goods, dealing of counterfeit goods,” said Ndubane.

They are expected to appear before the Middelburg Magistrate’s Court soon.

IOL NEWS

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