Police arrested two Chinese men and the owner of an Alexandria farm after they discovered millions worth of abalone in the farm on Thursday 25 July.
Police arrested two Chinese men and the owner of an Alexandria farm after they discovered millions worth of abalone in the farm on Thursday 25 July.
The police confiscated abalone estimated at R33 million weighing 1 630kg.
Port Alfred police spokesman Lieutenant Luvuyo Mjekula said Alexandria police in partnership with their Port Elizabeth counterparts arrested two Chinese nationals and an Alexandria farm owner on charges of illegal possession of abalone.
The police swooped on a farm, about 10km from Alexandria, and discovered large quantities of abalone.
The police apparently received a tip-off about illegal activity in the area. Mjekula said the team of police men was led by Captain Leon Els of the Alexandria detectives and Colonel Hein Fourie of the Mount Road detectives.
They arrived at the farm around 3pm. "On entering the house, they found a floor full of abalone, some in plastic bags and some in wooden trays," he said.
Inside the house the police also found equipment including, electric fans, freezers, gas cylinders, burners and bags of chemicals. After the raid they then found in the house and arrested two Chinese men, aged 30 and 35.
The police also detained the owner of the farm, a 66-year-old man.
All three are all expected to appear in court on Monday. Officials from the Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries were also at the scene this afternoon.
The police are investigating a case of illegal possession of abalone.
Police officials and the Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries department were still combing the scene on Friday 26 July.
The value could increase as more abalone is being found, police reported. The value also excludes equipment like fridges, gas bottles and scales, which have been confiscated by police.
