WESTERN CAPE - Fubao Shi (33), an Asian was convicted of multiple counts of possession of abalone and Contravention of the Immigration Act 13 of 2002 has been given firm sentences including a fine of R50 000 with an alternative 36 months imprisonment suspended for five years with conditions as well as an order in terms of Prevention of Organised Crime Act, Act 121 of 1998 (POCA) to pay R100 000.00 into the Criminal Asset Recovery Account (CARA).
This comes after he pleaded guilty yesterday, 05 July 2022 in the Blue Downs Regional Court to multiple charges of possession of illegal abalone.
The conviction comes after he was arrested in Kraaifontein on 12 August 2021 during a search and seizure operation executed by a multi-disciplinary team that included the Hawks Serious Organised Crime Investigation team, Crime Intelligence as well as officials from the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environmental Affairs (DFFE). The abalone that was seized was forfeited to the State.
Shi was sentenced to a further 12 months direct imprisonment that was wholly suspended for a period of 5 years on condition that the accused is not convicted of a contravention of the Immigration Act.
The Provincial Head of Hawks, Western Cape, Major General Mathipa Makgato welcomed the sentence and said he is very pleased with the sentence imposed and trust that this would send a stern warning to offenders.