The Johannesburg based Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team executed a successful counterfeit operation based on an inquiry registered earlier on 4th October 2024.

It was to the effect that there were identified premises suspected to be producing Fine Fragrance Collection (FFC), products, a contravention of the Counterfeit Goods Act, 37 of 1997.

A residential address at 10th Avenue, Mayfair, Johannesburg was put under surveillance to confirm the alleged illegal activities. On Thursday, 17 October the Hawks team descended at the premises and uncovered a fully equipped clandestine factory in the process of manufacturing FFC fragrances. Three suspects were found and were subsequently arrested on Thursday, 17 October 2024 and another suspect was arrested on Friday, 18 October 2024.

It is estimated that the scale of the illicit factory could have caused a financial loss estimated at R7 million to FFC.

Equipment that includes, machines, containers of perfume mixers, bottles and sticker labels wer
e seized for further examination. A case was registered at Johannesburg central police station.

The four suspects Amir Hayder Abbaaolii (30), Arafaat Ahmed (32), Abafita Ahmed (41) and Usman Ahmed (24) all Ethiopian nationals made their first appearance before the Johannesburg Magistrate Court on Monday, 21 October 2024 where the matter was postponed to 28 October 2024 for immigration legality status of the four suspects.

The Provincial Head of the Hawks in Gauteng Major General Ebrahim Kadwa lauded the efforts of the team. “This operation highlights the significant impact of counterfeit activities on businesses and the economy. The public is urged to report any suspicious activities related to counterfeit goods. Those involved in manufacturing and distributing counterfeit products will remain on the Hawks radar”, Concluded.

Source: South African Police Service