The Gqeberha police have achieved a significant breakthrough in the case of the R1.2 million abalone bust that took place in December.
A 35-year-old man named Johannes Petrus Cloete was apprehended by the Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigations, commonly known as the Hawks. Cloete was arrested in his diving gear as he was about to enter the sea at Noordhoek in Gqeberha over the weekend.
Following his arrest, Cloete appeared in the Gqeberha New Law Court on Monday, facing charges of possession of abalone.
The Hawks have credited the joint efforts of the Economic Protected Resources (EPR) team of Serious Organised Crime Investigation, Dark Water Operations, Department of Environmental Forestry and Fisheries (DEFF), and the South African Police Service (SAPS) Port of Entry members for the successful arrest.
According to Captain Yolisa Mgolodela, spokesperson for the Hawks, the team had been on the lookout for Cloete since the seizure of the abalone worth approximately R1.2 million on December 9.
The EPR members received information indicating that a rubber duck was about to offload abalone onto a vehicle. Upon arriving at the scene, the police discovered the rubber duck stuck on the sand, with individuals in the process of offloading the abalone. However, they managed to flee upon seeing the police.
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During the operation, the authorities confiscated 26 bags of abalone, which contained a total of 5,700 units weighing approximately 1,000 kg, along with diving equipment. On January 20, Cloete was arrested based on a tip-off received by the police. He has been remanded in custody, and the court proceedings have been adjourned until January 29.
This breakthrough serves as a testament to the dedication and collaborative efforts of the law enforcement agencies involved in combating the illegal abalone trade. The successful arrest of Cloete sends a strong message that such criminal activities will not be tolerated, and those responsible will be brought to justice.
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Full Story Source: Breakthrough Made In R1.2 Million Abalone Bust In Gqeberha
