Abalone syndicate members appear in court for bribery and corruption. Photo: Pexel
Abalone syndicate members appear in court for bribery and corruption
The abalone syndicate members offered an undercover member a R20 000 bribe to turn a blind eye to their illegal activities.
Abalone syndicate members appear in court for bribery and corruption. Photo: Pexel
Two key abalone poaching syndicate members, recently appeared in the Port Elizabeth New Law Courts after they were arrested on Friday.
BREAKTHROUGH IN ABALONE SYNDICATE JOINT OPERATION
Raymond Mark Taylor and Roland Hudson were arrested in a joint operation between the South African National Parks (SANParks) Environmental Crime Investigation, and the South African Police Services Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) in Gqeberha.
Taylor was released on R150 000 bail and Hudson on R20 000 bail.
SANParks Managing Executive of Parks, Property Mokoena, the two were charged with bribery of SANParks officials and corruption.
Mokoena said the significant breakthrough follows a two-month-long joint investigation named Project Perfect Storm.
“The two suspects approached an Addo Elephant National Park Field Ranger to assist them with the illegal diving and catching of abalone at Bird Island – a marine protected area within the Addo Elephant National Park.”
“The official also had to inform the syndicate when it was safe to dive at Bird Island, what the weather and sea conditions were like at the Island and when SANParks or other Law-Enforcement vessels were responding to abalone poaching incidents at or near Bird Island.”
said Mokoena.
UNDERCOVER MEMBER OFFERED BRIBE
Earlier this month, the men offered the undercover member a R20 000 bribe to turn a blind eye to their illegal activities.
It is then on Friday, 6 May 2022, during the covert operation, the suspects were arrested by DPCI after a further amount of R10 000.00 bribe was paid to an undercover agent.
“However the unwavering dedication and excellence by the ranger involved paid off.
“It goes to show the quality of the rangers we have in Addo Elephant National Park and SANParks. This is reflected in the standards they set for themselves not to allow poachers and criminals to bribe them,”
said Mokoena.
He said this arrest of well-orchestrated criminal activity has struck a heavy blow against organized crime on abalone syndicates both in the Addo marine protected area and across the Eastern Cape Province.
“The actions of the ranger deserve recognition and should provide inspiration to all other rangers,”
said Mokoena.
The investigation continues and more arrests cannot be ruled out.
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