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Yesterday on 19 March 2013 officials from the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF’s) Fisheries Management branch and members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) clamped down on premises in the Mitchell’s Plain area, Western Cape, after information was received about possible illegal storage of marine living resources.

A house in the Westridge area was consequently searched and seven freezers, containing large frozen abalone were found on the premises. Four arrests were made and 4 643 units of abalone weighing 1 238,4kg was seized. The value of the abalone is estimated at R1,2 million.

A case was registered and the suspects were charged. In a second incident on the same day, DAFF officials arrested two Fujian nationals with 164 undersized West Coast Rock Lobsters in their possession. They were charged at the Bellville Police station.