A 48-year-old businessman appeared in the Lephalale Magistrate’s Court on Monday following his arrested while in possession of R20 000 worth of counterfeit Gold Star yeast at his trading premises.
Captain Matimba Maluleke, spokesperson for the Hawks, stated that Desta Wonore Ortibo was arrested on Friday of last week during a sting operation at his supermarket.
“On Friday, September 23, 2022, the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation Intellectual Property Rights in collaboration with brand representative, Adams and Adams with assistance from Lephalale K9 Unit and Waterberg Highway Patrol members conducted a search and seizure operation at a supermarket in Lephalale,” said Captain Maluleke.
According to Captain Maluleke, the Hawks seized several boxes containing counterfeit Gold Star yeast worth over R20000.
Ortibo’s bail was set at R5000 and his case has been postponed to November 3, 2022. He said more operations will be conducted to address counterfeit goods dealings.
“A sting operation to deal with counterfeit goods dealings in the province took place on Wednesday and Thursday last week at Dennilton, Marble-Hall, Nebo, and Jane Furse where five shops were raided and six alleged counterfeit goods dealers were arrested,” added Captain Maluleke.
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