The trial of South Africa's biggest abalone syndicate, which allegedly poached more than R2-billion worth of the delicacy, has finally started in the Cape Town High Court after a three-year delay.
Police say the 25 suspected members of the syndicate include Chinese gangsters and the owners of legal fishing rights. They were arrested in July 2011 and range from pastors, lawyers and police officers to politicians.
The State alleges that four men - Ran Wei, Frank Barends, Christiaan Crous and Donovan Dickson - ran the syndicate.
The Hawks' Lieutenant- Colonel Lise Potgieter testified yesterday that some poachers had turned State witnesses, while "traps" set by investigators had netted three police officers who ensured "safe passage" for the transportation of abalone.
According to court papers, Wei, who skipped the country, was the syndicate's leader.
Attorney Anthony Broadway, who has represented several alleged members of the syndicate, has been charged alongside them.
Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package. 