WESTERN CAPE – Law enforcement officers intercepted a vehicle transporting illegally harvested abalone along the scenic Clarence Drive in Gordon’s Bay, resulting in the arrest of two suspects and the seizure of 743 units of abalone.

The City of Cape Town’s Marine and Environmental Unit acted on a tip-off on Wednesday 24 June, joining forces with Gordon’s Bay police and Gordon’s Bay Security (GBSec) armed response to intercept the suspicious vehicle. During the search, officers discovered the abalone believed to have been unlawfully possessed and transported in contravention of marine resource legislation.

Two suspects, a man and a woman, were arrested and charged in terms of the Marine Living Resources Act. The recovered abalone was seized as evidence and the suspects detained for further investigation.

The Gordon’s Bay operation follows a similar bust four days earlier, when Marine and Environmental Unit officers raided a house in Sherwood Park, Manenberg, on Saturday 20 June following reports ofthe illegal sale of West Coast rock lobster. Officers found 720 rock lobster tails on the premises.

The occupant could not produce documentation to prove legal possession and was arrested and charged in terms of the Marine Living Resources Act for possession without a permit and for the lobster not being in whole state.

• Members of the public are encouraged to report similar transgressions by calling 021 480 7700 from a cellphone or 107 from a landline. The City offers a reward of up to R5 000 for information leading to a successful operational outcome.