A warrant of arrest has been issued for a Chinese national who failed to appear in court this week in connection with an abalone bust worth an estimated R2 million.
Also read: Cape Town police nab abalone and drugs worth millions
In a statement issued yesterday, the Hawks said a second suspect, arrested with the absconded, 52-year-old, Wie-Wen Wie, was convicted in the Khayelitsha Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.
According to the Hawks, a joint operation by their Serious Organised Crime Investigation team in Bellville, along with Crime Intelligence Counter Narcotics and Gangs Western Cape as well as Department of Forestry, Fishery and the Environment resulted in the conviction and sentencing of Tau Wu (51).
‘During November 2016, the members executed a search warrant at Kewridge Street, Edgemead. On arrival at the premises, they discovered an illegal abalone drying facility where 8776 units of dried abalone, 26 units of wet abalone and other equipment were seized. The abalone (was) worth approximately R2 million,’ Hawks spokesperson Siyabulela Vukubi said.
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‘Two Chinese males were found on the premises and were eventually arrested and charged for operating an illegal fish processing establishment and illegal possession of abalone.’
After several court appearances, the two were eventually granted bail.
‘Both accused were supposed to appear in Khayelitsha Priority Court for sentencing on 27 June 2023 with accused one, Wie-Wen Wie absconding and a warrant of arrest was issued against him.’
Meanwhile, Tao Wu was present in court when he was found guilty of two counts of contravention of the Marine Living Resources Act.
On the first count, he received a sentence of 24 months in prison or R100,000 in fines, of which 12 months and R50,000 were suspended for a five-year period if the accused was not found guilty of the same violations during that time.
On the second count, he received a sentence of 36 months in prison, which was suspended for five years provided he was not found guilty of the same infractions during that time.
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Also read:
Six police officers arrested for corruption linked to abalone seizures
Picture: Heinrich van den Berg/Gallo Images
