Pic: SAPS
Gqeberha police have arrested three suspects, aged between 24 and 29, and confiscated abalone worth more than half a million rand.
Spokesperson, Captain Sandra Janse van Rensburg says police responded to an alarm activation in the vicinity of Schoenmakerskop early on Sunday morning, and while en route, they noticed a motor vehicle parked in bushes.
She says when the members stopped to investigate, four men jumped out of the vehicle and ran into the bushes.
Police searched the vehicle and found bags of abalone in the boot.
Janse van Rensburg says they called for the assistance of a private anti-poaching unit and the police dog, Cylo picked up a trace in a very dense bush.
She says two suspects were arrested after they handed themselves over.
A third suspect was apprehended a short while later.
Police recovered 1 039 units of abalone with an estimated value of R580 000 as well as diving equipment.
The suspects are expected to appear in court soon.
