Multi-million abalone bust
PARKWOOD – Police have arrested two suspects found in possession of abalone with an estimated value of R1.4 million in Parkwood.
Two suspects aged 42 and 43 were detained after police received information about the highly valuable perlemoen.
Rosebank police spokesperson Sergeant Bongi Mdletshe said they seized about 5 000 pieces of abalone in 70 bags weighing about 1.5 tons, from an upmarket home on Worcester Road. Three vehicles and three fridges were confiscated by police.
Between 2007 and 2010 abalone was listed as an endangered species by the government due to its illegal commercial harvesting. The sale of abalone meat is prohibited in the country. Media speculation is that local syndicates poach the perlemoen for sale in Asian countries or in exchange for chemicals used in the production of drugs.
The suspects are expected to appear the Johannesburg Magistrates Court soon.
