Western Cape: Following an investigation into illegal abalone activity a joint operation by Crime Intelligence, Cape Town K9 Unit and Provincial Detectives Specific Crime was conducted this morning at a small holding on the outskirts of Atlantis.

At approximately 07:30 they raided the premises situated alongside Klein Dassenberg Road where they found an illegal abalone processing facility. Large amounts of abalone in the process of being dried and numerous items of equipment, including amongst other, a huge steel cooking pot, gas cylinders and burners, fans, scales, containers and drying shelves, were recovered. In total 5 270 units of dried abalone were seized. The value thereof was estimated at R1.5 million.

Two men, aged 44 and 19, were arrested and are to appear in the Atlantis Magistrates Court on charges under the Living Marine Resources Act once formally charged.

Source: South African Police Service