Auxiliary officers attached to the City of Cape Town’s (COCT) Law Enforcement and officers based in Muizenberg discovered a total amount of 567 abalone and 10 crayfish in an abandoned vehicle on the Corner of Ou Kaapse Weg in Sun Valley on Thursday, September 9.
According to a statement shared on Facebook by the City’s Mayco Member for Safety and Security, JP Smith, officers were tracking a vehicle occupied by at least 10 males, most of whom were suited up for diving. However, the driver and all his accomplices abandoned their vehicle and managed to escape into the darkness on foot.
“Inside the vehicle about 22 Oxygen Tanks and 12 bags of various sizes Containing abalone was found and seized… Sanparks Rangers also arrived on scene to assist and the vehicle was also impounded. The intervention prevented another poaching operation from going ahead and officers will continue to crack down on this illegal activity,” the statement read.
Meanwhile, a 75-year-old man was also detained following the discovery of rhino horn and ivory at premises in Milnerton. SABC reported that the discovery was made following a joint operation by the COCT’s Law Enforcement Unit and the Police after receiving a tip-off about suspicious activity at a house in Sandrift. The suspect is expected to appear in court soon once charged.