Western Cape: Following a crime intelligence investigation, a joint operation by members from AGU, DAFF and Provincial Detectives was conducted at a warehouse in Milnerton this morning.
Today, about 10:00 the members arrived at the premises in Freedom Way where a Chevrolet Optra, with two Chinese occupants, had just stopped. Upon searching the vehicle they found two 50 kilograms of salt which confirmed their suspicion.
Upon entering the warehouse they uncovered an illegal abalone processing facility and arrested the two men, aged 31 and 34. Numerous plastic containers filled with shucked abalone, steel cooking pots, gas cylinders and burners, a scale, chest freezer and various other items of equipment were seized.
Three rooms on the upper level were equipped as drying rooms where dried abalone was also seized. A total of 4 932 units shucked abalone, 638 units dried abalone worth an estimated street value of R2.4million were seized.Â
The two men will appear in the Cape Town Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 2019-01-21 on charges under the Living Marine Resources Act.