Chinese nationals fined R400k after abalone bust on Northern Cape farm

A MASSIVE haul of abalone, worth nearly R2 million, has landed three Chinese nationals in hot water — culminating in a suspended prison sentence and a hefty R400,000 fine after a sting operation on a Douglas farm.

Yanhul Yang, 34, Zhang Shuicai, 24, and Jinxiang Chen, 60, were sentenced in the Kimberley Regional Court on July 24 after entering into a plea and sentence agreement with the State.

Their arrest followed a tip-off received on April 26 by the SAPS Provincial Organised Crime unit about a suspected drug lab at Olierivier Farm near Douglas. Instead of narcotics, officers stumbled upon an illegal abalone processing operation.

According to Hawks Northern Cape spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Tebogo Thebe, police discovered drying equipment, including gas burners, gas bottles and fans, along with 8,136 units of abalone with an estimated value of R1.97 million. Two Malawian nationals at the scene informed officers that their "bosses" would be arriving later — leading to the arrest of two Chinese suspects on-site. A third suspect was later apprehended in Douglas.

The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) was called in to lead further investigations. Vehicles, equipment, and the abalone were seized and booked in the  SAPS 13 at the Douglas police station.

The trio were convicted of contravening the Living Marine Resources Act and the Prevention of Organised Crime Act relating to money laundering. They were each handed two suspended 36-month prison sentences, conditional on not reoffending during a five-year period.

Additionally, the court ordered the group to collectively pay R400,000 into the Criminal Assets Recovery account by August 1.

Hawks provincial head Major-General Stephen Molefi Mabuela commended the swift and effective collaboration between operational and investigative teams in bringing the case to a successful conclusion.