St Francis Chronicle, Edited; Gqeberha SAPS K-9 are continuing to clamp down on abalone traffickers and this week so far have arrested suspects and confiscated abalone valued at more than R400k.
Together with the aid of Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) and private security they immediately follower up on info received in four unrelated abalone incidents:
* On 28 July info was received about abalone activities in the Sardinia Bay area. The members responded and managed to confiscate three bags containing 861 units of abalone together with 12 diving suits, 10 waist bags, 5 diving goggles, 11 pairs of flippers, 11 chucking tools, 6 pairs of boots and 10 luggage bags. No one was arrested during the confiscation with an estimated value of R194 332.
* While SAPS Walmer station processing the recovered abalone, they the SAPS members received another complaint of suspected abalone divers. The SAPS immediately responded and found four men carrying bags. The suspects dropped the bags and fled in different directions.
One suspect aged 31 years, was arrested with a bag containing 195 units of abalone, estimated value of R64 166. In a search of the area the SAPs confiscated another bag with 251 units of abalone with an estimated value of R67 833.
* Then on 29 July at about 1.40 pm SAPS K-9 members noticed a white vehicle known to be involved in abalone activities. While trying to stop the vehicle, the driver sped off.
A high-speed chase ensued through Summerstrand and with the assistance of SAPS Humewood in Millard Street in Summerstrand the vehicle stopped and the suspect fled on foot. A 33 year-old man was arrested and during the search of the vehicle the SAPs confiscated 283 units of abalone.
During the high speed chase the suspect attempted to force the SAPS K-9 off the road, the SAPS vehicle landed on a property at the corner off Erasmus Drive and Scott Street, Summerstrand. No one was injured during the collision.
* And yesterday, 30 July, while patrolling in Marine Drive, Summerstrand, SAPS K-9 in Gqeberha, received information of a silver Nissan Micra that was busy loading abalone into a vehicle in Marine Drive, Summerstrand. The members immediately responded and attempted to stop the vehicle.
The suspect sped off and during the chase in Summerstrand the driver lost control of the vehicle and it overturned. The vehicle went through a high school fence in the area, and the suspect, a foreign national, aged 39, was arrested. During the search of the vehicle the members confiscated 383 units of abalone with an estimated value of R100 000.
The three suspects were arrested on charges of contravening the Marine Living Resource Act, 19 of 1998 Regulation 36 sub sect 1 – illegal possession of abalone and illegal transport and possession of abalone. Some of the suspects already appeared while the other suspects will appear at the Gqeberha magistrate court this week.
The SAPS says its members are clamping down on criminals. Nelson Mandela Bay District Commissioner, Maj Gen Vuyisile Ncata noted illegal abalone activities is a huge concern and commended SAPS members and DFFE for their alertness in nabbing these smugglers. “The poaching of these molluscs can have a significant negative impact on the endangered species so efforts to apprehend those involved is crucial. By apprehending abalone poachers, our officials are not only upholding the law but also sending a strong message that illegal activities like this will not be tolerated,” Maj Gen Ncata noted.
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