The group aged between 23 and 30 years was arrested during
a sting operation involving the Hawks and officials from the Department of
Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), Crime Intelligence, SAPS K9
Overberg Cluster on Tuesday.
Hawks spokesperson for Western Cape, Ms Zinzi Hani confirmed
the incident this morning.
“Two Chinese and Zimbabwean migrants aged between 24 and 27
were arrested for operating an illegal abalone processing facility in
Welgemoed, Bellville.
“Dried abalone units with an approximate value of R6.5
million as well as abalone processing equipment were seized,” she said.
In Stikland, Bellville, Ms Hani said, the team seized more
abalone and equipment valued at more than R13 million from Kenyan and Somali
nationals aged 23 and 30 respectively.
She said two more Chinese migrants and a Zimbabwean were
arrested by the same team in the Parow area where another illegal processing
facility was discovered.
The official said the suspects were charged for illegally
dealing in abalone and will appear in the Bellville Magistrates’ Court
tomorrow.
In May, the same team arrested a Chinese and Zimbabwean men
they found transporting abalone worth R10 million in the same area.
The trade of abalone shellfish, which is regarded as
endangered species, is prohibited in most Sadc countries.
Abalone shellfish is a unique type of snail classified
under the gastropod phylum-mollusca and is often referred to as the sea ear
because of its flattened shape.
This type of seafood is considered a delicacy in Asia.
Herald
0 comments:
Post a Comment