Hawks have apprehended two suspects who were found in possession of abalone worth an estimated value of R1 million.
These offenders were arrested in Wolseley on Wednesday.
They were caught during a sting operation by the Hawks and officials from the Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries Department.
The pair have been charged to court and are expected to appear in the Wolseley Magistrates Court on Friday.
The Hawks’ Zinzi Hani said: “The Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigating team conducted a search a seizure on a farm in Wolseley.”
“The multidisciplinary team seized abalone with an estimated value of R970,000 and an illegal firearm.”
Abalone is a type of large snail which is found in the ocean.
Poaching is a threat to Abalone’s existence and it is considered illegal.
The numbers of abalone have gone so low as a result of over-exploitation.
