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Gqeberha police have vowed to leave no stone unturned in the battle against abalone poaching.
The assurance came as seven suspects arrested this week during a Public Order Policing operation, were due to appear in court on Friday.
Police spokesperson, Captain Sandra Janse Van Rensburg, said POPS members were "performing waylay duties" in the area of Maitlands Beach on Wednesday night, when they spotted a group of men off-loading a boat that was in the surf.
She said they were also seen carrying bags onto the beach and in the direction of the parking area.
Janse Van Rensburg said after “tactically” approaching the group, police arrested seven suspects aged between 20 and 47 years old.
“A total of 1283 units of abalone with an estimated value of R350 000 was confiscated,” she said.
The suspects were detained on charges of contravening the Marine Living Resource Act, and the illegal possession of abalone.
Janse Van Rensburg said while illegal abalone activity continues in Gqeberha, the SAPS “members are leaving no stone unturned as they clamp down on criminals.”
