The syndicates involved with the smuggling of endangered species often target markets outside South Africa for their goods. They therefore do not depend on a distribution network within the country and are not exposed to the same risks those criminal organisations that, for example, sell illegal drugs within South Africa are exposed to. In recent years, a lucrative illegal trade in endangered coastal species, such as abalone and crayfish, has been conducted by organised groups consisting of South African and Chinese criminals. They operate from the Western Cape and export their goods to Hong Kong, Singapore and China.

The difficulty of infiltrating a small Chinese criminal organisation is apparent. Their disciplined cohesiveness, their language, which is often a particular Chinese dialect, as well as the obvious differences in physical appearance between Caucasians and Chinese, or Africans and Chinese, enable these groups to protect themselves well from ‘outsiders’. An operation was launched in the Western Cape, however, to investigate the activities of groups illegally smuggling abalone from the Western Cape to foreign markets. After a full motivation, a project was registered in terms of which this task was to be pursued further.

The investigations revealed that three different criminal groups were involved in the chain of events which led to the exports. Firstly, in the Hermanus and Hawston area, a syndicate consisting of about eleven South Africans was involved in illegally harvesting abalone from various areas along the coast. This syndicate was also responsible for the transport of its goods to a Chinese syndicate, consisting of about twelve persons, which was based in Cape Town. The abalone was sold to the Chinese who then dried it in drying ovens which they operated from private homes. The dried products were transported to another Chinese syndicate consisting of about eight members which was based in Johannesburg. The Johannesburg syndicate had the necessary contacts abroad and the expertise to export the items undetected.

Police investigators relied on undercover agents and the co-operation from police agencies in Hong Kong and Singapore to obtain sufficient evidence justifying the arrests of members of all three syndicates involved. In total, 34 arrests were made, and 4 121 kilograms of abalone, 1 729 kilograms of dried abalone, as well as ivory and crayfish were seized. The total market value of the products seized exceeded R2,4 million.