Hawks uncover abalone processing facility in Cape Town

WESTERN CAPE – The Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation team together with Crime Intelligence as well as officials from the Department of Forestry Fisheries and Environmental Affairs (DFFE) conducted a sting operation and clamped down on an illicit abalone processing facility in Cape Town on Tuesday.

The intelligence-driven operation uncovered the processing facility at the premises on Stella Road Montague Gardens and during the search and seizure, freshly cooked and dried abalone worth over R972 000-00 was seized. Furthermore, abalone processing equipment, communication equipment, a computer and a vehicle were all seized,

Consequently, three suspects aged between 25 and 48 were arrested and are due appear at the Cape Town Magistrates Court on Thursday, 14 May 2020.