Two suspects were caught on Monday, May 17, with a total of 70 boxes containing 23896 dried abalone with an estimated street value of R9.9 million. The duo were arrested after members of the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation, Crime Intelligence and officials from the Department of Environmental Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) reacted to information concerning illegal transportation.
According to a police statement, officials identified a white Hino truck as well as a white Audi driving on the N7 highway in the direction of Malmesbury. Both vehicles were then stopped on the N7 at a service station in Philadelphia. Upon inspection dried abalone was found in a hidden compartment underneath the Hino truck.
The suspects aged 28 and 35 are due to appear in the Atlantis Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, May 19, where they will face a charge of possession and transporting of illegal abalone in terms of the Marine Living Resources Act 18 of 1998.
Picture: SAPS
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