KEY POINTS
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Northern Cape police arrested five foreign nationals and confiscated abalone worth R1.9 million, linked to an international smuggling operation.
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Home Affairs is investigating the suspects’ legal status, reflecting broader efforts to combat cross-border wildlife trafficking networks.
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The bust highlights South Africa’s struggle against abalone poaching, which threatens marine ecosystems and costs the economy billions annually.
In a significant crackdown on marine poaching, five foreign nationals were arrested during a pre-dawn raid in Douglas, Northern Cape, for allegedly possessing abalone worth nearly R2 million.
The suspects—two Malawian and three Chinese nationals aged 18 to 60—were apprehended by the Northern Cape Provincial Organised Crime Investigations Unit following a tip-off about suspicious activity at a remote farmhouse.
Acting on intelligence, officers stormed the property at approximately 3:00 a.m. on Saturday, uncovering multiple containers filled with processed and dried abalone. Colonel Cherelle Ehlers, police spokesperson, confirmed the operation’s success: “This seizure disrupts a sophisticated smuggling network. The suspects face charges of illegal possession of protected marine resources, and we are pursuing further linkages to transnational crime syndicates.”
The Citizen reports that Authorities also seized two vehicles—a Toyota Hilux and Nissan NP200—believed to have transported the contraband. The Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment (DFFE) estimated the haul’s value at R1.9 million, highlighting the lucrative nature of abalone trafficking.
Authorities probe suspects’ immigration status
The Department of Home Affairs has joined the investigation to verify the suspects’ immigration status, amid concerns that illegal wildlife trade networks often exploit undocumented individuals. “We are collaborating closely with Home Affairs to ensure accountability on all fronts—both for environmental crimes and immigration violations,” Ehlers added.
Abalone, a high-value shellfish, has been decimated by poaching along South Africa’s coastline, with criminal networks exporting it illegally to Asian markets where it fetches up to R10,000 per kilogram. The DFFE reports that over 90% of abalone harvested in South Africa is illicit, fueling ecosystem collapse and revenue losses exceeding R1 billion annually.
Northern Cape Acting Provincial Commissioner Major General Luntu Ngubelanga praised the operation: “This arrest underscores our commitment to dismantling organized crime. Marine poaching threatens biodiversity and national security, and we will relentlessly pursue those involved.”
The suspects are expected to appear in the Douglas Magistrates’ Court this week. Meanwhile, forensic teams are analyzing electronic devices and financial records seized during the raid to identify additional accomplices.
