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03 Jun 2020

Illegal abalone worth R4.1 million seized in Western Cape

Jenni Bipat (South Coast Herald) Picture: Some of the abalone recovered by police. Photo: Saps

The illegal trade in marine resources was dealt a blow yesterday afternoon (June 2) when Paarl police arrested two suspects for the possession of abalone with an estimated street value of R4.1 million.

At about 12.45pm members of Paarl Saps spotted a silver-grey Land Rover in St Francis Street in northern Paarl. The vehicle looked suspicious and the members decided to observe it.  When they approached the vehicle, the two occupants fled. An undisclosed amount of abalone was found in the vehicle. The two suspects were pursued on foot and apprehended by police.

Further investigation led officers to a residence being used as a processing factory in the northern Paarl area where other equipment was found. The two suspects, aged 26 and 29 respectively, will appear in the Paarl Magistrate’s Court once charged.