7 tons of perlemoen seized
2006-10-29 18:45
Cape Town - Western Cape police on Sunday found seven tons of perlemoen (abalone) worth about R6.6m at Table Bay Harbour in Cape Town.
They were found in two freight containers that were re-routed from Hong Kong back to South Africa last week, after they were suspected of illegally shipping the mollusc, said superintendent Billy Jones.
"After inspection of the two containers today (Sunday) it was confirmed they contained about seven tons of perlemoen."
The SA Revenue Service and marine and coastal management in the Western Cape also helped in making the discovery.
SARS estimated that the haul had an estimated street value of R11m, said spokesperson Adrian Lackay.
Shipped as pilchards
Sunday's confiscation followed the arrests of two people in possession of eight tons of perlemoen at the V&A waterfront in September.
"As a result of (that) successful investigation it was then discovered that more freight containers containing perlemoen, allegedly packed as pilchards, already had been shipped out of South Africa on their way to Hong Kong."
No one was arrested and a case of illegal possession of perlemoen was opened, said Jones.
- SAPA