In a combined effort by law enforcement, three suspects were arrested on charges related to the illegal possession of crayfish worth millions of rands.
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The suspects, two men and a woman aged between 30 and 40, were taken into custody on Wednesday evening after they were found with crayfish worth nearly R10 million.
According to provincial police spokesperson Captain Nowonga Sukwana, members of the SAPS received information about a truck that was hijacked earlier on Wednesday, which paved the way for an integrated operation.
“The information was operationalised by members of Maitland Flying Squad, Crime Intelligence, Stock Theft and Endangered Species Unit of illegal crayfish stored at a warehouse in Racing Park in Milnerton.”
“Upon arrival at the address, the members searched the premises and found crayfish stored in 180 cooler boxes with an estimated street value of R9 million.”
The suspects are due to appear in court once charged.
Meanwhile, Mayco member for Safety and Security, JP Smith, praised law enforcement for the seizure of the 388 whole crayfish along with 2,384 crayfish tails.
“As with perlemoen, such consignments are often prepared, exported and sold onto Asian black markets, where they achieve a higher resale value,” he said.
“All evidence seized gets handed over to the national department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environmental Affairs.”
“The link between poaching and gangsterism has long since existed but in recent times has increased exponentially as gangs expand further into sectors of organised crime.”
Smith added that when following up on such crime intelligence, it has not been uncommon for poachers to fire upon enforcement staff, both on the water and in the suburbs.
“With the increased artillery of organised gangs, calling in the Tactical Response Unit has now become a necessity.”
“Our current expansion of the TRU will bring a sigh of welcomed relief to Cape Town, as we further escalate our efforts against gangsters.”
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Picture: Facebook/ JP Smith