Judgment has been postponed in the trial against three Chinese Nationals who have been charged in connection with the illegal exportation of about 40 tons of perlemoen valued at R100 million.
Judge Fungile Dotwana of the Gqeberha High Court is yet to determine whether the state has proved its case against Kai Ou Yang, 65, Chu-Kai Chang, 48, and Hsien-Chu Ou Yang in her capacity as a member of Blue Fin Marine Trading CC.
The accused faces 24 charges which include fraud, racketeering, money laundering, and the contravention of the Marine Living Resources Act.
Blue Fin Marine Trading CC conducted business in the wholesale and distribution of seafood products, restaurants, and shipping.
The accused was not present in court when judgment was postponed on Wednesday.
Prior arrangements had been made between the State and the defence for the postponement to be done in absentia.
The accused were arrested in February 2022 after a police investigation that started in 2017 uncovered that abalone was allegedly being shipped illegally via the Cape Town, Durban, and Port Elizabeth Harbours.
The abalone is said to have been destined for the Asian markets.
Dotwana will deliver his judgment on 1 July.
