Two abalone poachers were apprehended this morning during an intelligence driven operation conducted by various police units at Century City. The first suspect, a 34-year-old man from Hout Bay, was arrested in Conference Lane after his BMW was searched. Bags filled with abalone were found in the boot of the vehicle. Not far from there, a parked Audi was searched and more bags of abalone were found. The second suspect, a 27-year-old man from the Northern Cape was arrested. Members of the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries are in the process to establish the exact quantity and value, estimated at a substantial amount.
In an unrelated case, three suspects, aged between 29 and 32, were arrested during the early hours of this morning when their Toyota Hillux LDV drew the attention of members on patrol in Fish Hoek. The vehicle was stopped and one of the occupants was still in his diving gear. A search of the vehicle led to the discovery of 101 units of abalone.
Once charged, the five suspects are expected to appear in Cape Town and Simons Town courts respectively.
