THE police in Bloemfontein, Free State, have discovered a laboratory where abalone was illegally processed.
The cops raided the house in Boersma Street in Universitas, Bloemfontein, on Saturday, 21 January.
Lieutenant-Colonel Thabo Covane said drying pans packed with abalone, packages of salt, sodium hydrosulfite, fans, heaters and gas bottles were found at the house and seized.
The weight of the seized wet abalone was about 1
900 kilograms, with an estimated market value of R3,5 million.
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“The dry abalone was also weighed at about 230 kilograms, with an estimated market value of R1,4 million. The total value of the confiscated abalone is estimated at R4 941 494. Two men were found at the house. One used the hidden escape exit to evade the police. A 52-year-old foreigner was arrested by the team,” said Covane.
A case of unlawful possession of abalone was opened at Parkweg Police Station.
The suspect is expected to appear in the Bloemfontein Magistrates Court on Tuesday, 24 January.
