ACCUSED SENTENCED TO FIVE YEARS FOR RACKETEERING, CORRUPTION AND DEALING IN ABALONE

WESTERN CAPE – Preston Paul Julies (52) appeared at the Cape Town High Court on Friday for sentencing on several charges that include Racketeering , Corruption, landing, receiving, transporting and possession of illegally poached abalone.
This follows his arrest along with 17 other co-accused on 05 March 2018 in a joint search and seizure operation undertaken by the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation together with Department of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF), Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU).
The operation targeted several areas that included Gans Bay, Hermanus, Hawston, Stanford, Bredarsdorp, Pearly Beach and Kuilsrivier. During the search the team confiscated 18 cellphones and approximately R220 000.00 in cash.
Julies pleaded guilty on all charges in line with (Section 105A) plea sentence agreement. The Cape Town High Court subsequently sentenced Julies to five (5) years imprisonment for Contravening the Prevention of Organised Crime Act (POCA). Furthermore, he was sentenced to five years imprisonment for each of the two counts of corruption said to run concurrently.
A further two years imprisonment for each of the two counts on landing, receiving, transporting and possession of illegally poached abalone, wholly suspended for a period of five (5) years was imposed on him as well. He will serve an effective five years direct imprisonment.