On Saturday, 25 October 2025, the Hawks members from Pietermaritzburg and Durban Serious Commercial Crime Investigation seized a number of machines used to manufacture counterfeit Smirnoff 1818 bottles worth millions of rands in total at Ogilvie Road in Howick.
The seizure was the result of an investigation initiated on 15 October 2025. When the Hawks received information about a container detained at the MSC depot in Durban, that allegedly contained counterfeit Smirnoff bottles, closures and stickers. Based on further intelligence, the Hawks heard that the container was destined for the address on Ogilvie Road. As a result, the Hawks executed a search warrant on 23 October 2025.
During the search, the Hawks uncovered a range of sophisticated machines used in the production of counterfeit Smirnoff 1818 bottles including a bottle blowing machine, high-pressure air compressor, evaporating temperature machine, industrial chiller and fine compressor air filters as well as various sizes of counterfeit Smirnoff 1818 bottles.
No arrests have been made at this stage and investigation continues.
The KwaZulu-Natal Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation Provincial Head, Major General (Dr) Lesetja Senona commended the members for the good work.
