WESTERN CAPE – A joint operation between SAPS Provincial Detectives Specific Crimes Unit and City Of Cape Town Law Enforcement has led to the arrest of a 39-year-old suspect in Atlantis. This morning (2020-07-16) at around 07:55, members, acting on information, descended upon a property in Saxon World Road, Atlantis.
Upon entering and conducting a search of the premises, they discovered an illegal abalone drying facility. Numerous shelves and 34 boxes filled with approximately 12 300 units of dried abalone valued at R 3, 5 million were recovered. Items of equipment such as a large steel cooking pot, plastic containers, gas cylinders, burners and a scale were also seized during the operation.
The suspect was arrested and is expected to appear on Monday (2020-07-20) in Atlantis Magistrates’ Court on charges under the Living Marine Resources Act.