Riuqua Wu (47) was found guilty and sentenced to 24 months behind bars or a fine of R20 000 by the Alexandra Magistrates’ Court for contravening the Marine Living Resources Act.
Wu, who claimed to be an employee at a Sandton-based restaurant where he was arrested, admitted to the offence after Sandton Police officers acted on a tip-off from the community and raided the restaurant on 16 April.
They found 18 units of abalone and six pieces of sea cucumbers. The accused and his wife, also an employee at the restaurant, were arrested and detained at Sandton Police Station.
Read: Police find stolen goods in butchery
They were granted bail of R8 000 each on 18 April and appeared in court on 17 May where the accused exonerated his wife who was acquitted while he pleaded guilty to the charge.
In mitigation, Wu claimed to have committed the offence while the restaurant owner was away in China.
Details: 10111.
Edited by Stacey Woensdregt
