File
Members of a multi-disciplinary team arrested 12 people for being in the illegal possession of abalone.
Police spokesperson, Colonel Priscilla Naidu, said the arrests were made on Wednesday by SAPS members from Jeffreys Bay, K9 unit members, and officials from the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environmental Affairs.
She said the team monitored the movement of the group from Tuesday in Aston Bay.
Naidu said at about 12.30 am on Wednesday, a group of men emerged from the sea carrying bags.
“Police swooped in on them and 12 males aged between 19-38 years old were arrested. A total of 2047 units of abalone as well as their diving equipment were confiscated,” she said.
The estimated street value of the confiscated abalone is R409 400.
The suspects will be appearing in the Humansdorp Magistrate’s Court on Friday.
