Cape Town: Hawks bust suspects with abalone worth R2.8 million

Six suspects are expected to appear before the Cape Town Regional Court on Tuesday, 25 April, for alleged abalone possession and managing a drying facility.

SIX BUSTED WITH ABALONE

On Sunday, 23 April, the National Intervention Unit (NIU) received a tip about two vehicles en route to Cape Town that were possibly carrying abalone.

Armed with a description of the vehicles, the NIU kept an eye on them and eventually pulled one of the vehicles over.

Seven bags of wet abalone was found in the boot of the first car. One suspect was arrested.

Later the second vehicle was stopped and five men were arrested.

“Further investigation led the team to a premises situated in Bogain Villas, Century City, Milnerton where the team discovered an illegal abalone processing facility,” said Hawks spokesperson Zinzi Hani.

ALSO READ: Two boys drowned in Limpopo river after sneaking out to swim

DRYING FACILITY IN CAPE TOWN

At the processing facility the police seized a large amount of wet and dried abalone. In total, the seized items had a approximate value of R2.8 million.

“While at the scene, the Hawks Economic Protected Resources team was activated and they took over the investigation,” added Hani.

This article was originally published by Storm Simpson.