Two suspects, arrested this week for allegedly running an illicit abalone drying facility in Panorama, Cape Town, are expected to appear in the Bellville Magistrate's Court.
Hawks spokesperson Captain Philani Nkwalase said, the suspects, aged 27 and 44, were arrested on Tuesday.
He said the joint operation was carried out by their Serious Organised Crime Investigation Unit, together with Crime Intelligence, the National Intervention Unit and officials from the Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF).
"The multi-disciplinary team seized both wet and dried abalone to an estimated street value of R1.9 million as well as drying equipment used to process abalone and a vehicle valued at R900,000 pending further investigations".
The suspects face charges of contravening the Marine Living Resources Act. One of the suspects also faces a charge of contravening the Immigration Act.
- African News Agency (ANA)
