The South African Revenue Service's anti-smuggling unit seized a facility allegedly used to produce counterfeit DVDs and CDs as well as stock valued at more than R50 million during a raid in Fordsburg, Johannesburg, this morning.
The breakthrough follows weeks of intensive investigations that started with the seizure of a small consignment of counterfeit DVDs and CDs at a Swaziland border post in December.
The investigations led SARS officials to two facilities in Fordsburg this morning where they seized two sets of large machines used to copy DVDs and CDs, along with covers and labels used for packaging the materials.
The factory is suspected of being one of the main suppliers of counterfeit CDs and DVDs in South Africa.
SARS has identified a number of suspects and, in conjunction with the South African Police Service, expects to make arrests soon.
Today's seizure follows hot-on-the-heels of the confiscation by Customs officials last week of DVDs and CDs with a street value of almost R8 million in Germiston. In that case, a man was later arrested for allegedly attempting to bride a Customs investigator with R600 000.
For more information please contact Sechaba Nkosi at (012) 422 5046 or 082 465 2901
ISSUED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR THE SOUTH AFRICAN REVENUE SERVICE
PRETORIA