MyPE

Community Business Directory, Event Listings, News and Views from Gqeberha, Nelson Mandela Bay

Illegal Abalone Dealing Leads to Preservation Order

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EASTERN CAPE – The Gqeberha High Court granted Gqeberha Asset Forfeiture Investigation (AFI) of Priority Crime Specialised Investigation (PCSI) of the Hawks the preservation order worth more than R28 000 on 28 November 2023. The order was received by the office of the Hawks on 6 December 2023.

On 2 September 2023 at about 17:30 at Marine Drive, Summerstrand Gqeberha, information was received about a foreign national Wei Wei Zhang (43) who was allegedly in the area to do illegal abalone dealing. A white and brown BMW vehicle with an Eastern Cape registration plate was reportedly stopped and searched. It is further alleged that no abalone was found in the vehicle but an illegal firearm with serial number filed off and 12 x 9mm pistol hollow point rounds were found in his possession. Zhang is reported to have been in possession of cash to the value of more than R28 000 which he allegedly offered as a bribe to the officers to evade arrest. Zhang was arrested on the on the spot. The vehicle, cash, firearm and ammunition were seized as well.

Zhang appeared in Gqeberha New Law Court for illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition. He was released on bail. The vehicle was handed back to its rightful owner who was not a suspect.

Zhang is expected to appear in New Law court in February 2024. There is also a case against Zhang in Kabega which is abalone related for which he is expected to be apprehended on sight. The police will appreciate information on the whereabouts of Zhang for the arrest to be effected sooner.

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