George police have brought down a multi-million Rand abalone poaching syndicate with the arrest of seven suspects on Monday.

The suspects, aged between 45 and 65, allegedly operated an illegal fish processing establishment. The group (including previously arrested Jianxian Wu) are said to have primarily operated in the Western Cape and Gauteng provinces – where they transported, illegally stored, and exported abalone.

According to the Hawks spokesperson, Zinzi Hani, said that the operation spanned the Western Cape, and led to to the arrest of suspects in the Cape Peninsula, Overberg, and Hassequa areas. Hani says it comprised teams from the Hawks, supported by the Public Order Police and Anti-Gang Unit in the Overberg District, to execute the warrants of arrest.

“These arrests mark a significant victory in our ongoing battle against organised crime,” said Hani.

“The suspects face serious charges, including the illegal transportation, storage, and exportation of abalone.”

In addition to these charges, the suspects will be prosecuted under the Prevention of Organised Crime Act for money laundering and managing a criminal enterprise through racketeering activities.

The operation also targeted an another suspect, Jianxian Wu, who was traced and arrested in the North West last month. Wu made his first court appearance on 21 May. He will join his co-accused in the George Magistrates Court on Tuesday, 11 June. Wu is scheduled for his bail hearing.

Hani says the investigation began in 2016 and resulted in the seizure of 25.3 tonnes of abalone, valued at over R37 million. She says nine suspects, overall, have been arrested in the matter.

“As a result of this investigation a total of 12 cases were registered with a combined total of 77 charges.”

Earlier this year, Western Cape police made a similar multi-million Rand abalone bust.