Sarah Baartman District: A multidisciplinary team comprising of SAPS members from Jeffrey’s Bay, K9 unit and officials from the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environmental Affairs arrested 12 suspects during the early hours of Wednesday morning, 26 April 2023 for illegal possession of abalone.
On Tuesday, 25 April 2023 from 22:00 until 26 April 2023, 04:00, the team held observation duties in Aston Bay monitoring suspected poachers. At about 00:30 on 26 April 2023 a group of males exited from the sea carrying bags. Police swooped in on them and 12 males aged between 19 and 38 years were arrested. A total of 2047 units of abalone as well as their diving equipment were confiscated. The estimated street value of the confiscated molluscs is R409 400.
The suspects will be appearing in the Humansdorp Magistrates’ court today, 28 April 2023.