Cops are clamping down on perly diewe with eight suspects busted in separate incidents last week.
On Wednesday, the Hawks nabbed three men in Somerset West, including two Chinese
nationals.
Shen Hongyu, 43, Tu Dugn, 27, and Ibrahem Abdalla Atieh Alnaimat, 33, appeared in the Somerset West Magistrates’ Court on Friday.
Hawks spokesperson, Captain Philani Nkwalashe, says: “They managed to seize dried and wet abalone worth over R2.5 million as well as several equipment, two vehicles and an undisclosed amount of cash.
“Alnaimat was released on R150 000 bail while Hongyu and Dugn remain in custody.”
The three are back in court on 17 August.
On Friday, during an intelligence operation, cops in Century City arrested two men after abalone was found in their vehicles.
Police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel-André Traut, says: “A 34-year-old man from Hout Bay was arrested in Conference Lane after his BMW was searched. Bags filled with abalone were found in the boot of the vehicle.
“Not far from there, a parked Audi was searched and more bags of abalone were found. The second suspect, a 27-year-old man from the Northern Cape, was arrested,” Traut said.
And in Fish Hoek, three people were arrested when poached abalone was found in their vehicle.
“Three suspects, aged between 29 and 32, were arrested when their Toyota Hilux drew attention of members on patrol in Fish Hoek.
“One of the occupants was still in his diving gear. A search of the vehicle led to the discovery of 101 units of abalone.”