This article may contain graphic and/or adult content unsuitable for minors and sensitive readers.
Members of the Hawks in Port Elizabeth have arrested 11 suspects on charges of racketeering and abalone smuggling.
Lt General Yolisa Matakata, who is the Deputy National head of the Hawks, told AlgoaFM News that Tuesday morning's bust in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro was the culmination of an intensive two-year investigation by the Hawks in the Eastern Cape.
She said it was a syndicate with international links and that two of the men arrested are Chinese foreign nationals.They'll all be appearing in court on Wednesday.
Lieutenant General Matakata says the value of the abalone seized over the 2 year investigation is in the region of R500m and that more arrests are expected.
