GAUTENG – Elyas Girman Ghebregziabher (40) appeared in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s court today on charges of contravening the counterfeit goods, medicine and related substances Acts.

The Johannesburg based Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team pounced on the supplier on Wednesday morning following a tip-off that he was allegedly selling and supplying counterfeit goods in Fordsburg, Dragon City area.

The team responded swiftly and found various counterfeit goods stored inside two mini buses. Foodstuffs, skin lighting cosmetics, disinfectants, deodorants, polishes, sanitary pads all bearing reputable brand names were seized from the raid. The goods are worth approximately R800 000-00. Preliminary investigation suggests that the accused supplies these products to various outlets.

Ghebregziabher was immediately apprehended and made his appearance on the very same day. The court has remanded the suspect in custody and the case has been postponed to 18 August 2022, for a bail application.

Source: South African Police Service