The Hawks (Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations) said three suspects were arrested this week for allegedly operating an abalone drying facility without a permit at premises in Thornton, Cape Town.
The suspects, aged between 30 and 48 years, are set to appear in the Goodwood Magistrates’ Court tomorrow (Friday 27 March) following their arrest yesterday (Wednesday 25 March).
Lt. Col Siyabulela Vukubi, Hawks spokesperson, said the trio was arrested by the Hawks’ Economic Protected Resources, in collaboration with the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment for illegal dealing in abalone.
The Hawks acted on information regarding the abalone drying facility in Thornton, Vukubi said.
“Upon arrival at the premises, they encountered two suspects inside a Toyota bakkie that was loaded with containers consisting of abalone. Further information was followed up, and the third suspect was arrested. One managed to evade arrest,” Vukubi said.
Vukubi said upon counting a total of 3 443 units of wet abalone, and 5 995 units of dried abalone were seized to the value of over R2,5 million.
