Four suspects are expected to appear in the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court tomorrow after a dramatic operation in Table View uncovered an illegal abalone processing operation worth more than R1 million.

The suspects, aged between 35 and 45, were arrested yesterday following 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.

Hawks spokesperson Siyabulela Vukubi says investigators moved quickly after receiving the information.

“Upon arrival at the premises, they encountered the four suspects processing the abalone. Upon counting, 3,699 units were seized with an estimated value of R1.2 million.”