Eight nabbed for fake goods

2006-06-27 18:09

Johannesburg - Eight Chinese men were arrested on Tuesday for operating a counterfeit clothing syndicate from a farm in Honeydew, West Rand police said.

The clothing, valued at more than R2m, had labels such as Nike, Reebok and Levis printed on them, Superintendent Lungelo Dlamini said.

Acting on a tip-off, police raided the farm and discovered several machines and stencils used to manufacture and label the clothes.

He said a container of clothing imported from China, also bearing the fake labels, had also been discovered at the farm.

"The suspects were found hiding in the warehouse and did not have any legal documents with them."

The men face charges of illegal immigration, and manufacturing and dealing in counterfeit goods. They are expected to appear in the Krugersdorp magistrate's court on Wednesday.

"The men would probably be extradited to China after appearing in court for further prosecution," Dlamini said.

- SAPA