Western Cape Police seized abalone with an estimated street value of over R10 million, in what local police are calling one of the biggest abalone busts in recent years.
After receiving a tip-off, members of the Provincial Tactical Response Team had raided an abalone storage facility in the industrial area of Rylands near Philippi yesterday.
Police seize abalone
Officers confiscated 11 485 wet and 15 200 dry abalone and equipment. Three suspects were arrested and will appear in court soon.
Meanwhile, Western Cape Police say the latest abalone bust is reportedly one of the biggest in recent years.
One of the biggest in recent years
When officers arrived on the scene yesterday, a 53-year-old Chinese man was arrested outside the premises.
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Two Zimbabwean men, working inside the facility, were also detained.
The police’s Lt Col Malcolm Pojie says they’ll appear in court tomorrow.
Illegal possession of abalone
They will appear in the Athlone Magistrates’ Court on a charge of the illegal possession of abalone. Officers confiscated abalone and equipment with a value of more than R10 million.
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