In a joint operation between Gqeberha K9 unit and a private anti-poaching unit, two suspects were arrested and abalone confiscated early this morning, 14 April 2021.
It is alleged that on Tuesday, 13 April 2021 at about 22:00, the K9 unit members followed up on information received of a suspicious vehicle with possible abalone. The vehicle was spotted in Marine Drive and stopped. Nothing suspicious was found in the vehicle.
At about 05:30, the K9 members and the anti-poaching unit spotted the same vehicle driving down Victoria Drive towards Schoenmakerskop. The Toyota Corolla was again stopped and searched. Five bags, a total of 512 units of abalone was found in the boot of the vehicle. The two suspects, aged 21 and 34 years old were arrested.
The suspects are detained for contravention of the Marine Living Resource Act, 19 of 1998 Regulation 36 subsect 1 – illegal possession of abalone and Regulation 58 subsect 1 – transportation of abalone without a permit.
They are expected to appear in the Gqeberha magistrate court on Thursday, 15 April 2021.