Supplied
Gqeberha police are searching for six suspected abalone poachers who managed to flee from police in Bluewater Bay early Wednesday morning.
Police spokesperson, Captain Sandra Janse Van Rensburg, said police were acting on a tip-off when they carried out observation duties at Bluewater Bay.
"At approximately 04:15, six males emerged from the water and were seen loading suspected abalone into a Nissan bakkie," said Captain Sandra Janse Van Rensburg.
She said the vehicle was followed to a house on Poseidon Road in Bluewater Bay.
"Upon noticing the police, the males abandoned the vehicle and fled. A total of 2 163 units of abalone were found in the vehicle with an estimated value of R280 000."
She said after obtaining a warrant, the house was searched and diving equipment valued at R300 000 was seized.
"There was no one in the house. The Nissan bakkie was also impounded for further investigation," Janse van Rensburg said.
