Shiping Ye (27) and Meifang Lou (46) appeared at Bellville Regional Court on 26 February 2019. This follows their arrest on 13 February after the Hawks led multidisciplinary team uncovered abalone worth a total value of R3 162 300.
This abalone was found in an illicit Abalone drying facility in Durbanville, Cape Town. Several drying equipment used to process abalone were seized along with the wet, dried and processed abalone. Meifang Lou was on 15 February, released on R60 000 bail, whilst Shiping Ye remained in custody as he did not have proper documentation to be in the county.
The two pleaded guilty on both charges of receiving, possession and selling as well as transporting and possession of illegally poached abalone.
Subsequently, the Bellville Regional Court sentenced the duo to a fine of R150 000 each. Additionally, the duo was sentenced to five years imprisonment and another additional two years imprisonment. Both sentences are wholly suspended for five years with stringent conditions.
The Chinese nationals voluntarily agreed to be deported back to their county as part of the plea sentence agreement.
South Africa Today – South Africa News
