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Further significant charges from black market abalone operation
Date: Wednesday, 22 July 2009
A 40-year-old man will appear in Perth’s Magistrates Court on Friday to face significant charges, arising from a Department of Fisheries’ investigation into alleged black market abalone sales.
Kevin HUYNH of Maylands has been charged with several counts of contravening the Abalone Management Plan 1992 over allegedly dealing with more than 80 kilograms of abalone in June and July last year and attempting to deal in a further 250 kilograms of abalone between 9 July and 21 August 2008.
He will also face another charge of allegedly being in possession of 55 rock lobster tails.
If he is found guilty, on the fisheries charges, Mr Huynh faces the potential of up to four years in prison and fines of up to $105,000, plus mandatory penalties of up to $341,730.
Mr Huynh is also facing a criminal charge of allegedly receiving approximately 3000 kilograms of stolen greenlip abalone (valued at $390,000), after a joint investigation by WA Police and the Department of Fisheries originating from a seven-month surveillance operation last year.
In August 2008, Fisheries and Marine Officers and members of the WA Police worked together on Operation Acacia, to conduct a series of searches and interviews at business premises and homes in Perth and regional towns.
In June this year, the North West Metropolitan Tactical Investigation Group charged 52-year-old Azumi PILDEN of Marangaroo with allegedly stealing a total of 6097 kilograms of quick frozen abalone (valued at $800,000) from Leeuwin Star Pty Ltd in Wangara, whilst he was an employee of that business.
Mr Huynh allegedly received a large portion of that abalone knowing it was stolen.
Mr Pilden appeared before the Joondalup Magistrates Court on 19 June and is now on bail. He is due to re-appear in the Joondalup Court again this Friday (24 July 2009).
Department of Fisheries Manager of Compliance and Regional Support John Looby said the close cooperation between WA Police and the department’s Serious Offences Unit had produced significant charges, related to an alleged black market trade in abalone.
“This is an excellent outcome for WA Police and Department of Fisheries compliance officers and it is an example of our ongoing strategic partnership helping to bring a joint operation aimed at combating allegedly organised illegal activity to a significant conclusion,” he said.
Kevin HUYNH of Maylands has been charged with several counts of contravening the Abalone Management Plan 1992 over allegedly dealing with more than 80 kilograms of abalone in June and July last year and attempting to deal in a further 250 kilograms of abalone between 9 July and 21 August 2008.
He will also face another charge of allegedly being in possession of 55 rock lobster tails.
If he is found guilty, on the fisheries charges, Mr Huynh faces the potential of up to four years in prison and fines of up to $105,000, plus mandatory penalties of up to $341,730.
Mr Huynh is also facing a criminal charge of allegedly receiving approximately 3000 kilograms of stolen greenlip abalone (valued at $390,000), after a joint investigation by WA Police and the Department of Fisheries originating from a seven-month surveillance operation last year.
In August 2008, Fisheries and Marine Officers and members of the WA Police worked together on Operation Acacia, to conduct a series of searches and interviews at business premises and homes in Perth and regional towns.
In June this year, the North West Metropolitan Tactical Investigation Group charged 52-year-old Azumi PILDEN of Marangaroo with allegedly stealing a total of 6097 kilograms of quick frozen abalone (valued at $800,000) from Leeuwin Star Pty Ltd in Wangara, whilst he was an employee of that business.
Mr Huynh allegedly received a large portion of that abalone knowing it was stolen.
Mr Pilden appeared before the Joondalup Magistrates Court on 19 June and is now on bail. He is due to re-appear in the Joondalup Court again this Friday (24 July 2009).
Department of Fisheries Manager of Compliance and Regional Support John Looby said the close cooperation between WA Police and the department’s Serious Offences Unit had produced significant charges, related to an alleged black market trade in abalone.
“This is an excellent outcome for WA Police and Department of Fisheries compliance officers and it is an example of our ongoing strategic partnership helping to bring a joint operation aimed at combating allegedly organised illegal activity to a significant conclusion,” he said.
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