Police have arrested two foreign nationals and confiscated abalone worth more than R3.5 million during a major bust at an illegal drying facility in Primrose Park, Athlone on Friday 7 November.
The intelligence-driven operation, conducted by members of Operation Lockdown III working alongside the Endangered Species K9 Unit, led to the discovery of 6 400 units of abalone at a premises in Amazon Street.
Equipment
According to police, the seized abalone has an estimated street value of R3 520 000. Officers also confiscated drying equipment and gas cylinders from the facility.
Two adult men – a Chinese national and a Malawian national – were arrested on charges related to the illegal possession of abalone, a protected marine species under South African law.
The suspects are expected to appear in the Athlone Magistrates’ Court on Monday 10 November.
Concern
Abalone poaching has become a major conservation concern, with the valuable shellfish highly sought after in international markets, particularly in Asia where it is considered a delicacy.
The illegal abalone trade has a devastating impact on South Africa’s marine ecosystems and is often linked to organised crime syndicates operating along the Western Cape coast.
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