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Three Chinese nationals who were arrested for contravening the Marine Living Resources Act have appeared before the East London Magistrate court yesterday (Wednesday).

Baohua Qi (39), Jianbo Yu (46) and Dianxin Jiang (57) were arrested by the Hawks’ Organised Crime unit after their three vessels; FU. YUAN. YU. 7881, the RUN. DA. 617 and the FU.YUAN. YU. 7880 were spotted navigating illegally along the East London coast last week.

When the officers from the South African Navy and the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries searched the three vessels they found the captains to be in illegal possession of squids worth over R48 million, as well as fishing products and equipment without permit.

The trio, who also face a charge of failing to comply with the instruction of the Fishery control officer to stop their boats for inspection, were released on warning on condition that they remained in their boats. Their case was postponed to 15 June 2016 for further investigation.

Issued by South African Police Service