Monday, May 26, 2008

Three arrested in Abalone clampdown

By Tina George
26 May 2008


Three suspects said to be involved in illegal abalone dealings have been arrested late on Thursday evening during a collaborative clampdown on an abalone processing by officials from the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT) and the South African Police Services (SAPS).

According to Carol Moses, DEAT spokesperson, the incident followed after information was received with regard to an illegal abalone processing facility operating on a farm, in the Paterson district near Addo in the Eastern Cape.

“A substantial amount of abalone was found on the premises, 10560 units of dried abalone was confiscated as well as abalone drying equipment,” says Moses.

Three men, two Chinese nationals and a Mosambiquan, were arrested and taken into custody. The men are expected to remain in custody until the court case.

Meanwhile Moses added that in a separate incident officials also arrested three South Africans at Bushy Park, adjacent to the Sardinia Bay Marine Protected Area near Port Elizabeth after 400 units of abalone and diving equipment were confiscated.

"The suspects are expected to appear in the Paterson magistrate's court on Monday."

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