THE SAPS National Crime Intelligence Unit and Benoni Dog Unit arrested three suspected abalone dealers in Norkem Park on Thursday last week.
Norkem Park SAPS police spokesperson, Capt Lesibanna Molokomme, said careful investigations led to the arrest at 5.30pm.
The investigating units received critical information which helped to identify a house on Quintus van der Walt Street where dozens of abalone with an estimated value of R7.8-million had been kept.
Police knew they had found their target as they were greeted by a strong smell outside the premises.
“The police arrested the suspects, aged 31 and 36, at a plant processing facility and also confiscated a white Jaguar, blue Ford Focus, drying equipment valued at R700 000 as well as R20 000 cash,” said Molokomme.
The three suspects appeared in court for illegal dealing and smuggling of abalone.
