Suspect arrested for possession of marine species without a permit

On Saturday, 10 April 2021 members from Provincial Organised Crime Unit, Crime Intelligence, Kimberley SAPS and Customs from SARS embarked on an operation in Douglas which was directed at businesses that were dealing in illicit items ranging from tobacco, clothing and liquor.

In one of the stores, members discovered 19 packets of mussels, 83 pieces of oyster and the owner could not explain where she got them from or produce a proof of purchase. The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development was contacted to confirm the species and confiscate the species valued at R5 000.00.

The suspect was arrested and charged with possession of oyster and mussels without a permit under the Marine and Living Resource Act 18 of 1998.

She was released on a SAPS 298 and is expected to appear in the Douglas Magistrates’ Court on Friday, 16 April 2021. Police investigation continues.