Tip-off leads to R3m abalone bust

Cape Town - A tip-off led to one of the biggest abalone busts of the year on Friday, when officials from the Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries department joined police to raid an illegal processing plant in a Philippi warehouse, seizing thousands of abalone worth an estimated R3 million.

Department spokesman Lionel Adendorf said three men, two Chinese and one Congolese, were arrested.

The processing plant was filled with wet and dry abalone worth an estimated R3m.

A total of 14 631 dried abalone and 5 850 wet abalone were seized.

Adendorf said officials monitored the warehouse for a number of weeks after a valuable tip-off from the public. “We waited until the time was right, and arrested three suspects. It’s definitely one of the biggest busts for this year, especially considering its location in an industrial area where the suspects thought they could work unnoticed.”

Adendorf said the department would continue to rely on the assistance of the public to catch abalone poachers. “We will do everything in our power to protect South Africa’s marine life, and we will continue to count on the support of the public, which has led to another major bust.”

The warehouse was a flurry of activity on Friday as officials carted boxes and trays carrying up to 1 000 dried abalone and dozens of bags of wet abalone into trucks outside.

Refrigerated containers were used to keep the abalone as fresh as possible.

Adendorf said the scale of the operation and its location demonstrated great sophistication.

Police spokesman Captain Frederick van Wyk said the suspects would appear in the Athlone Magistrate’s Court on Monday to face a charge of illegal possession of abalone. More charges could be added.

The department and police bust another illegal processing plant in Gordon’s Bay last month. The haul was worth an estimated R3m.

kowthar.solomons@inl.co.za

Weekend Argus