CAPE TOWN – Four suspects are expected to appear in the Cape Town Magistrates’ Court today after an operation in Table View uncovered an alleged illegal abalone processing facility worth more than R1 million.
The suspects, aged between 35 and 45, were arrested on Wednesday in a joint operation led by the Hawks. Authorities say the arrests followed a tip-off about a suspected abalone-drying facility operating in the area.
According to Hawks spokesperson Siyabulela Vukubi investigators acted swiftly after receiving the information about the alleged operation.
Police and other law-enforcement agencies moved in on the premises where the suspects were reportedly processing abalone.
“On their arrival at the premises they encountered the four suspects processing the abalone,” said Vukubi.
“They counted 3 699 units with an estimated value of R1,2 million, which were seized.”
The confiscated abalone was seized as evidence as authorities continued investigating the alleged illegal trade.
The four suspects were taken into custody and were expected to appear in the Cape Town Magistrates’ Court today on charges related to the illegal possession and processing of abalone.
Illegal abalone harvesting remains a major challenge for authorities in the Western Cape, with organised crime syndicates often linked to the lucrative trade.
