Five foreign nationals arrested holding abalone worth nearly R2m
Home Affairs has been called to assist with determining the immigration status of the suspects, as police work to build a strong case against the alleged abalone smugglers.
Members of the Northern Cape Provincial Organised Crime Investigations Unit have confiscated abalone with an estimated street value of nearly R2 million during a raid on a farmhouse in Douglas, police officials confirmed on Sunday.
Acting on intelligence regarding suspicious activities, the unit conducted an operation in the early hours of Saturday, which led to the arrest of five foreign nationals.
“During a thorough search of the premises, our officers discovered several containers containing a substantial amount of abalone,” said Colonel Cherelle Ehlers, spokesperson for the police.
The five suspects, identified as two Malawian nationals and three Chinese nationals ranging in age from 18 to 60, were taken into custody on charges of illegal possession of abalone.
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Immigration status under investigation
The Department of Home Affairs has been called in to assist with determining the immigration status of the suspects.
Meanwhile the authorities are working to build a comprehensive case against the alleged abalone smugglers.
“We are working closely with Home Affairs to verify the legal status of all individuals involved in this operation,” Ehlers stated.
In addition to the abalone seizure, law enforcement confiscated several exhibits and two vehicles believed to have been used in the commission of the crime.
The seized vehicles include a Toyota Hilux bakkie and a Nissan NP200.
The South African Police Service (Saps), working in collaboration with the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, calculated the estimated street value of the confiscated abalone to be approximately R1.9 million.
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Ongoing investigation
Ehlers confirmed that the investigation remains active, with authorities pursuing additional leads related to the case.
“This is an ongoing investigation, and we are following all available evidence to ensure everyone involved in this illegal operation is brought to justice,” she added.
Acting Northern Cape Provincial Commissioner, Major General Luntu Ngubelanga, commended the team for their exceptional work in intercepting the illegal abalone operation.
“Marine-related crimes will continue to be vigorously pursued, and offenders will face the full force of the law,” Ngubelanga said.
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