Police raid factory re-labelling expired Lucky Star canned fish, seven arrested

THE POLICE in Gauteng have arrested seven undocumented migrants, aged 18 to 29, during a raid at a factory where workers were re-packaging and altering dates on expired Lucky Star canned fish.

Gauteng police spokesperson Captain Tintswalo Sibeko said that the factory’s owner remains at large.

“On November 11, 2024, a joint operation between Crime Intelligence from Zamdela, Sasolburg and SAPS Kliprivier yielded significant results in the fight against counterfeit goods,” said Sibeko.

She said that during the raid, conducted along Eland Street in Daleside, law enforcement authorities seized a large quantity of counterfeit Lucky Star pilchards.

The police also discovered printing equipment used to alter expiration dates on the packaging of the cans of expired Lucky Star fish.

The altered Lucky Star cans were being placed in boxes marked “Woolworths Food”.

“Seven illegal immigrants, aged between 18 and 29 years, were arrested. The owner of the operation remains at large,” said Sibeko.

“The police opened a case of contravention of the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act (Act 54 of 1972), Section 17(c), possession of suspected stolen properties and contravention of the Immigration Act, Act 13 of 2002.”

The seven suspects who were arrested will appear before the court soon.

Woolworths has been contacted for comment, which will be added once received.