Two arrested at illegal abalone drying facility in Edenvale
The arrests took place on the afternoon of February 4, when law enforcement officers found the men in possession of abalone.
Millions worth of abalone found at Eastleigh property
Two suspects were arrested at an illegal abalone drying facility in Eastleigh after authorities acted on intelligence.
The arrests took place on the afternoon of February 4, when law enforcement officers found the men in possession of abalone.
Edenvale SAPS’ Acting Vispol Commander and Communications Officer, W/O Jacob Mashile, said Western Cape Crime Intelligence acted on information that led them to a property in Eastleigh Ridge.
ALSO READ: City tackles pollution crisis at Eastleigh Spruit
“At the scene, officers found two men packing abalone into plastic bags,” said Mashile.
According to Edenvale CPF, the suspects attempted to flee by jumping into a neighboring property.
A resident, noticing the commotion, activated their panic button, prompting a swift response from Mamba Security.
With assistance from Edenvale SAPS and Mamba Security, members of the Western Cape Crime Intelligence team detained the suspects.
ALSO READ: Lack of service delivery leaves Eastleigh resident at her wits’ end
Mashile confirmed that the suspects were arrested for violating the Marine Living Resources Act, 19 of 1998, Regulation 36, Subsection 1, as well as for the illegal possession of abalone, estimated to be worth at least R3 million.
Following their arrest, the suspects were taken to Edenvale Police Station.
Authorities involved were undercover Criminal Intelligence Unit members from Cape Town, Mamba Security, Edenvale CPF, Gauteng Flying Squad, Gauteng Organised Crime, Hawks and Edenvale SAPS.
