AFU GETS R120 000 CONFISCATION ORDER AGAINST CHINESE FISHERMEN
The Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) in KwaZulu-Natal has obtained a confiscation order for R120 000 against two Chinese nationals who were recently convicted of marine-related offences in the Durban District Court. The criminal matter relates to two men: Wang Jin (36) and Yi Ju Chen (42) who pleaded guilty to Contravening Section13(1) of the Marine and Living Resources Act. They were occupants on a shipping vessel and upon inspection of the vessel by port authorities, it was discovered that the men had failed to declare 2815kg of moonfish and 767kg of oil fish, which they had on board. The fish had an estimate value of R108 000.
They were sentenced to a fine of R100 000 or five years imprisonment, wholly suspended for a period of five years on condition that they do not commit the same offence during the period of suspension. The matter was finalised by District Court Prosecutor Camile Narainsamy.
The AFU, represented by Adv. Rajendrie Naidoo, successfully obtained the confiscation order where a sum of R60 000 each was forfeited from Jin and Chen.
The total of R120 000 was deposited into the Criminal Assets Recovery Account (CARA) and will be used by the state for crime-fighting initiatives.
The National Prosecuting Authority welcomes the finalisation of this matter. This case demonstrates the hand-in-glove relationship between the AFU and prosecutors in ensuring that we take the profit out of crime. We congratulate all colleagues who ensured this successful prosecution.
