A joint operation between SAPS Public Order Policing
(POP) and the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environmental Affairs
led to the confiscation of a substantial amount of abalone and
diving equipment during the early hours of this morning, Wednesday, November 23, in
Bluewater Bay.
It is alleged that last night at about 22:00, POP members received and acted on information
of suspicious activity in the sea in Bluewater Bay. The information was operationalised and way-lay duties undertaken near the suspected
site.
At approximately 04:15 this morning, six men emerged
from the water and were seen loading suspected abalone into a Nissan bakkie. The vehicle was followed to a house in Poseidon Road in Bluewater Bay. Upon noticing the police vehicle, the men abandoned
the vehicle and fled.
Police spokesperson, Capt. Sandra Janse van Rensburg, said that a total of 2 163 units of abalone were found in the
vehicle.
“The estimated value is R280 000. A search warrant was
obtained and the house was searched. Diving equipment with an estimated
value of over R300 000 was seized. There was no one in the house. The
Nissan bakkie was also impounded for further investigation. An enquiry is opened for investigation,” she said.
