Police and anti-poaching units in Nelson Mandela Bay have made two significant abalone busts this week, during which diving equipment worth thousands of rands was also confiscated.
Colonel Priscilla Naidu says the busts were all effected on Wednesday.
In the first incident, shortly after 3 am, K9 Unit and Flying Squad members assisted by private anti-poaching units confiscated 8 bags of abalone at Maitland beach.
A total of 1 119 units of abalone estimated at R650 000 was confiscated while six suspects fled when they saw police approaching.
In the second incident less than two hours later, Public Order Policing were patrolling the M4 Highway when they noticed a rubber duck in the sea heading towards Bluewater Bay.
When they got to Bluewater Bay, they observed the rubber duck racing away from the beach.
The members then patrolled the area and found 5 green bags filled with 1007 units of abalone valued at R422 940.
Later on Wednesday morning, around 10 am, two rubber ducks, diving gear and equipment were confiscated from the beach at Noordhoek.
