Hawks arrested man for abalone

A 45-year-old man was arrested by the Hawks on Tuesday for the possession of abalone worth millions. Photo; Supplied

Hawks swoop down on illicit abalone facility worth over R1.7 million

A 45-year-old man was arrested by the Hawks on Tuesday for the possession of abalone worth millions in Edgemead, Cape Town.

Hawks arrested man for abalone

A 45-year-old man was arrested by the Hawks on Tuesday for the possession of abalone worth millions. Photo; Supplied

The Hawks arrested a man on Tuesday for the possession of abalone worth over R1.7 million in Cape Town.

ABALONE WAS FOUND AT AN ILLICIT FACILITY IN EDGEMEAD

Lieutenant Colonel Philani Nkwalase, Hawks spokesperson said the 45-year-old man was arrested at an illicit abalone facility at Gideon Malherbe Crescent, Edgemead.

“A search and seizure operation uncovered an illicit abalone facility at Gideon Malherbe Crescent, Edgemead today, during an intelligence driven operation.”

Nkwalase said the Hawks Serious Organised Crime Investigation team in Cape Town together with Crime Intelligence (CI), K9 unit, and officials from the Department of Environmental Forestry and Fisheries (DEFF) made the arrest.

DRIED ABALONE WEIGHING 245.95KG WAS FOUND


 “The multi-disciplinary team seized approximately 4 817 units (245.95 Kg) of dried abalone with a street value of over R 1.7 million along with the abalone processing equipment.”

Nkwalase said the man is expected to appear in the Goodwood Magistrate Court Wednesday, 23 June 2021.

ALSO READ: Abalone poacher sentenced to 244 years after admitting to bribery

MORE ARRESTS EARLIER THIS YEAR

Earlier this year abalone worth R2.7 million was found in Brackenfell.

The Hawks Serious Organised Crime Team together with Crime Intelligence and officials from the Department of Environmental Forestry and Fisheries (DEFF) busted an illegal abalone facility in Brackenfell, Cape Town — yes an entire facility.

It was said that the joint team conducted a search and seizure operation where they uncovered an illegal abalone drying facility at Willow Creek in Brackenfell.

“They found a total of 15 837 units weighing 376,3 kg of dried abalone worth an estimated street value of more than R2,7 million,” said Zinzi Hani.

ALSO READ: Abalone worth R2.7 million seized in Brackenfell, Cape Town

Meanwhile in March this year, 65 suspected abalone poachers were arrested in the Cape of Good Hope section of the Table Mountain National Park (TMNP).

TMNP Park Manager, Frans van Rooyen said the arrests followed after a joint operation between TMNP Rangers, members of the South African Police Services (SAPS), and Cape Town law enforcement units.

ALSO READ: Sixty-five suspected abalone poachers arrested in the Cape of Good Hope