The Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation team in Cape Town together with Crime Intelligence and officials from the Department of Forestry Fisheries and Environmental (DFFE) arrested a 27-year-old suspect on Monday, 25 October 2021 for operating an illegal processing abalone facility.

The multi-disciplinary team reacted on information about a house that was being used as a fully-fledged abalone processing laboratory.

A search warrant was executed that led the team to the premises in Melkbosstrand where they observed and uncovered the said facility. Over 5206 units (375.44 kg) of dried abalone with a street value of more than R2.7 million was seized.

The suspect is expected to appear in the Atlantis Magistrates’ Court today.

Source: South African Police Service