The Atlantis Crime Prevention Unit acted on information received on Sunday 18 October, around 03:40, that poachers were busy diving for abalone at Grotto Bay.
According to police spokesperson Capt Liza Munro, police officials were informed the poachers had left in a Toyota RAV4 vehicle with a CF number plate. She related: “On the R27 (opposite the waterworks) the mentioned vehicle was pulled over by police, and the two occupants started running off in the bushes. The members gave chase and managed to catch one suspect, a 30-year-old black male from Hermanus. The vehicle was searched and 1 480 abalone was seized and handed to the Coastal Marine Unit.”
The suspect was arrested and will appear in court soon for possession of abalone.
In a separate incident, the Crime Prevention Unit acted on a tip-off and entered three houses in Witsand, Atlantis in the early hours of Wednesday 21 October. In their search they confiscated 343 Mandrax tablets with an estimated street value of R8 750, 12 plastic bags containing crystal methamphetamine (tik) with an estimated street value of R1 600.
Three males from Witsand between the ages of 28 and 37 years were arrested for dealing in illegal substances.
Acting station commander, Lt Col Matroos thanked the members for acting swiftly, and emphasised the importance of raids at drug outlets. He urged the community to continue providing information to the police, saying this will lead to more successes.
. Anyone with information on criminal activities in their neighbourhood is asked to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111, and they will remain anonymous. Alternatively, download the My Saps application and follow the prompts to share information.
