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Police in Gqeberha arrested 14 people and seized abalone and equipment valued at over R21 million in several busts and operations this past week.
Spokesperson, Colonel Priscilla Naidu, said two men were arrested in Extension 24 in Bethelsdorp on Wednesday by members of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment
She said at the officials approached the vehicle, the driver and the passenger got off and started to run.
“They were apprehended. On searching the vehicle they found 10 plastic bags of abalone on the back seat of the car. A total of 936 units of abalone were confiscated,” Naidu said.
She said the VW Polo was also seized for further investigation and the estimated street value of the abalone seized is R187 200.
Naidu said in a separate operation in Algoa Park ten people were arrested at a house in Whiteleafe Avenue, during a joint operation by members of the Hawks and Public Order Policing Unit.
“A total of 1629 units together with a Ford Focus vehicle were confiscated. The estimated value of the abalone is R500 000. The suspects were detained on charges of illegal possession of abalone,” said Naidu.
She said two men and a woman were also arrested at a processing facility in Kruisrivier in Kariega on Thursday, 11/05.
“The arrests were executed after police operationalised information received of the facility. A total of 4274 units of abalone as well as equipment totalling over R1.2 million were seized,” Naidu said.
Meanwhile, in another joint operation, another abalone processing facility was raided on a smalI-holding in Rocklands.
“A total of 26 169 units of abalone, (wet and dried), gas tanks, burners, industrial fans, chemicals as well as a generator were confiscated. The estimated street value of the abalone is over R20 million,” Naidu said.
She said all the suspects will be appearing in court soon.
