The South African Police Service (SAPS) dealt a significant blow to the illegal abalone trade yesterday (Monday) evening in the Western Cape.
Illegal abalone at an estimated value of several million rand was seized and confiscated. The exact value is yet to be determined.
According to SAPS’ Western Cape media liaison, Lieutenant Colonel André Traut, information led various police units to a farm in Brackenfell and a cold storage truck about 30 minutes away in Montagu Gardens.
At the farm, police found an illegal abalone processing facility and seized 6 878 units of fresh abalone, 24 922 units of dry abalone and equipment used for processing the sea molluscs.
Police also confiscated 213 bags of abalone, weighing approximately five tons, from the cold storage truck.
Six suspects were arrested collectively in both incidents and are expected to appear in court once charged.
