The Gqeberha-based Economic Protected Resources (EPR) under the Serious Organised Crime Investigation team of the Hawks arrested a 43-year-old suspect on August 25, for allegations of illegal possession of abalone.
According to Hawks spokesperson, Warrant Officer Ndiphiwe Mhlakuvana, the suspect will be joining his 10 co-accused who were arrested in Algoa Park in May this year for allegedly being in the possession of illegal abalone as well as illegally fishing without a permit.
Mhlakuvana said that it is alleged that the accused evaded arrest from two different crime scenes and at that stage he was unknown and the matter was later referred to the Hawks for further investigation.
“In the first instance in Cradock which was in May 2021, it is alleged that the accused were caught with the illegal possession of 4 400 units of abalone valued at R2 million while in the second instance in Hofmeyer in October 2021, it is further reported that the accused were caught in possession of 65 bags of illegal frozen abalone valued at R1.6 million,” said Mhlakuvana.
“The total cash value of the abalones that were seized from both scenes was R3.6 million.”
Mhlakuvana said that it was further reported that two Long Delivery Van ( LDV) vehicles that transported the abalone were also confiscated.
“The investigation linked the suspect in both crime scenes that occurred in Cradock and Hofmeyer where he allegedly evaded the arrest,” said Mhlakuvana.
“The accused was ultimately arrested on August 25.”
Mhlakuvana said the suspect will make his first appearance before the Cradock Magistrate’s Court on August 28, 2023.
