In a significant operation, KwaZulu-Natal police raided four warehouses in Durban’s Bluff area on Wednesday, uncovering a disturbing stash of expired food products and counterfeit goods. The operation is part of an ongoing crackdown aimed at intercepting illegal shipments and products that pose health and safety risks in South Africa.
According to KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda, the warehouses were primarily used to store expired food items, many of which were imported from overseas. Among the items discovered were canned fish, fizzy drinks, soya beans, baby food, and spices commonly used in chip production. Alarmingly, many of these food products were found to be stored alongside hazardous chemicals, including pesticides, raising serious concerns over public health risks.
Police raid warehouse in KZN storing mostly expired food products. Image Source
In addition to the expired food, officers also uncovered counterfeit prescription medication, body lotions, and even expired alcoholic beverages—products that were likely being sold at local township and village spaza shops. The raid also led to the discovery of two more warehouses packed with counterfeit clothing items, including fake versions of popular international brands, valued at millions of rands.
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The police have launched a full investigation to track down those responsible for importing and distributing the expired food, as well as the counterfeit clothing items. “Investigations are under way to locate the individuals behind the sale of these dangerous and illegal products,” Netshiunda said.
This operation underscores the growing efforts by South African authorities to combat the influx of substandard goods and protect consumers from potentially harmful products, particularly in underserved areas where such items are often sold without regulation.
