Five foreign nationals arrested with R1.97 million worth of abalone
The Northern Cape Provincial Organised Crime Investigations Unit arrested five foreign nationals for illegal possession of abalone during a successful operation in Douglas.
According to South African Police Services, the operation carried out in the early hours of the morning, followed intelligence received about suspicious activities at the property.
Officers conducted a thorough search and discovered several containers filled with a significant amount of abalone.
In collaboration with the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment, SAPS estimated the street value of the confiscated abalone at approximately R1 970 829.
The five suspects including two Malawian nationals and three Chinese nationals aged between 18 and 60, were taken into custody.
They now face charges related to the illegal possession of abalone.
The Department of Home Affairs will assist with verifying the immigration status of the suspects.
In addition to the abalone, law enforcement officers seized several exhibits and two vehicles.
Including a Toyota Hilux bakkie and a Nissan NP200. They identified these vehicles as tools used in the commission of the crime.
Spokesperson for the police, Colonel Cherelle Ehlers, confirmed that authorities are actively pursuing additional leads in the ongoing investigation.
'We are actively following all available evidence to ensure we bring everyone involved in this illegal operation to justice,' she added.
Acting Northern Cape Provincial Commissioner, Major General Luntu Ngubelanga, commended the team for their outstanding work.
Authorities will continue to aggressively pursue crimes involving marine resources, and they will ensure offenders face the full force of the law,' Ngubelanga said.
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