Five suspected poachers have been arrested for the possession of a large quantity of West Coast rock lobster without a permit near Macassar on Sunday.
‘Poaching of marine resources poses a major threat to the economy of the country and contributes to the commission of other serious crimes, including that of drug trafficking,’ said the provincial management of the Western Cape, who welcomed the arrest.
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Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Malcolm Pojie said that a unit attached to Operation Restore was performing an intelligence-driven operation at a checkpoint on the N2 at around 7:30pm.
Acting on information about the trafficking of crayfish in a white Ford Ranger on a flatbed tow truck travelling on the N2 towards Cape Town, police members pulled the tow truck off the road.
A search of the vehicle ensued after the occupants appeared suspiciously nervous.
‘During the search, the members discovered and confiscated 397 West Coast rock lobsters, 6069 lobster tails, a Ford Ranger LDV, a FAW flatbed tow truck, as well as five cellular telephones,’ said Pojie.
‘The estimated value of the seized lobster is still to be determined by officials attached to DAFF,’ he added.
The suspects, aged between 25 and 30, were detained and are expected to appear in the Somerset Magistrates Court once they have been charged.
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Picture: @SAPoliceService / X