Photos: SAPS

10 Suspects found in possession of abalone valued at more than R9 million were arrested by Milnerton Cluster police on Thursday, 2 February. The arrests took place at three different venues, says police spokesperson Captain Adriana Chandler.

At a warehouse in Senna Park, Killarney Gardens two Chinese men (aged 31 and 48) were found in possession of 27182 dry and 1551 wet shucked abalone with a street value of about R6 million. A forklift, as well as various scales, crates and containers were also found on the premises.

Two Malawian men (aged 26 and 33) were arrested at another warehouse in Esso Street, Montague Gardens. Numerous crates and 12 266 units of abalone with a value of R3 million were found in a refrigeration room.

Police from Table View and Philadelphia arrested a further six suspects who were found in possession of 821 shucked abalone with a street value of R120 000.

The ten suspects will appear in the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court today on charges relating to the Living Marine Resources Act, including the illegal possession of abalone.

According to a police spokesperson, “Abalone and crayfish must, when seized, be recorded in the SAPS 13 of the relevant police station and handed over as soon as possible to a representative of the Department of Fisheries for secure storage. The SAPS is not allowed to store these exhibits. After the case is finalised, the exhibit must be destroyed in the presence of a commissioned officer. The commissioned officer must check the items and verify them against the Property Register during destruction.”