Cape Town - More than three tons of perlemoen (abalone) have been seized in an anti-poaching drive in the Western Cape, an official said on Thursday.
Fisheries spokesman Lionel Adendorf said officials had been working in partnership with police to arrest seven men since last Wednesday.
Police impounded 26 429 units or 3.2 tons of perlemoen.
Adendorf said the campaign was continuing.
On Thursday morning, a Chinese national was arrested in Milnerton, Cape Town, for possession of perlemoen.
Police spokesman Warrant Officer November Filander said a house in Sunset Beach was raided at about 1am, where “a huge amount” of perlemoen worth about R12 million was found.
But the department said when it received the consignment of 5152 units of perlemoen, the value seemed to be considerably less.
“From what we have seen - the quality of it and the number of abalone - we do not think it is even close to a million (rands),” Adendorf said.
Details on the arrests of the other men were not immediately available, but they were arrested on different days since last week Wednesday. - Sapa