Sarah Baartman District: 16 July 2023: While criminals may try to be innovative, law enforcement is committed to protecting the safety of our citizens including the preservation of endangered species through intelligence, expertise and determination to stay one step ahead of criminals. On Friday, 14/07, an intelligence driven operation conducted by the Provincial Organised Crime Investigation(Anti-Gang Unit) in Gqeberha together with SAPS Cookhouse Highway patrol and Gqeberha K9 unit arrested two suspects, aged 25 and 57 years old and confiscated abalone with a street value of about R3 million.
It is alleged that at about 08:10, the team stopped a flatbed tow truck carrying a black VW Touareg in Cookhouse. On searching the Touareg, it was discovered that the vehicle was loaded with 3275 units of wet abalone. The driver of the truck and his passenger were arrested and both vehicles were confiscated for further investigation. The suspects are expected to appear in Somerset East magistrate court on Monday, 17 July 2023 on charges of illegal possession of abalone.
In another unrelated incident, on Saturday, 15/07 at about 03:23, Anti-Gang Unit members arrested a 39 year old male in possession of 1161 units of abalone. Members were patrolling in Grahamstown Road in Deal Party when they noticed a vehicle, a Nissan Hardbody, dripping with water. The vehicle was stopped and the abalone discovered. The suspect is detained on a charge of illegal possession of abalone and will appear in the Gqeberha magistrate court on Monday, 17 July 2023.
These arrests serves as a deterrent and warning to poachers involved in the illegal harvesting, transportation and trading of abalone and emphasises the consequences that individuals involved in such activities may face.