CAPE TOWN, February 11 (ANA) – A consignment of abalone worth millions of rand and destined for export has been seized in Table Bay Harbour, Western Cape police said.
“Emanating from the arrest of four suspects for the illegal possession of abalone at two warehouses last week, our detectives conducted an operation [on Friday] at a cold storage [facility] in Paarden Island where they came across a huge shipment of dried and frozen abalone with an estimated value of R8 million,” Lt-Col Andrè Traut said.
“Further investigation was conducted which led investigators to Table Bay Harbour where they discovered a 40-foot container filled [with] dried and frozen abalone, packed in boxes and destined for export.”
With the assistance of the agriculture, forestry, and fisheries department (DAFF) the container and contents were seized. The value of the shipment was estimated at R30 million.
“Although no arrests in connection with the seizure have been made as yet, we deem our operation a major blow to the illegal abalone trade and a step closer in breaking the back of a syndicate who is responsible for the export of our marine resources. Our investigation into the circumstances are far from over,” Traut said.
– African News Agency (ANA)
