WINDHOEK – The Namibian Police confiscated counterfeit goods worth a combined estimated value exceeding N$14. 5 million from shop owners in the capital during the period April 28 to 30 2014, the Head of Public Relations Edwin Kanguatjivi revealed on Friday.
He said the three-day operation code-named “Wipe Out” was conducted in Windhoek with the aim of cracking down on counterfeit goods in shops.
“Twenty interventions were carried out, resulting in twenty detention notices issued to suspects and a total of 41 376 items of different brands amounting to N$14. 5 million were seized,” he said.
He said the operation was carried out in the Khomas Region, which was selected for being the main economic hub of Namibia.
“The most affected brand names were Nike, Puma, Adidas, Levis, Samsung, and these goods are in police custody for modalities on the appropriate methods of disposal,” he said.
The operation was a consequence to the Interpol operational planning meeting held in Kigali, Rwanda from March 25 to 27 on trafficking in illicit goods and counterfeiting. The meeting was attended by both southern and eastern African countries such as Botswana, Kenya, Namibia, Rwanda, Zambia, Tanzania and Uganda.
The objective of the operation was to identify, disrupt and dismantle transnational organised networks involved in trafficking of illicit goods in eastern and southern Africa.
By Kuzeeko Tjitemisa