R1.6 million abalone bust leads to arrests of two poachers in Simon’s Town and Grabouw

Abalone busts has been made worth over R1.6 million in the Western Cape.

Two poachers who allegedly committed their crimes in Simon’s Town and Grabouw have been apprehended after being in possession of R1 636 082.025 worth of abalone.

Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Willie Aucamp, has commended law enforcement authorities for the successful apprehension of poachers in Simon’s Town and Grabouw, while warning that poaching and other crimes against South Africa’s wildlife will not be tolerated.

The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) said the successes were as a result of two operations conducted on May 21 and May 22 respectively, which led to the arrest of poachers.

It said during the first operation, arrests were made near Partridge Point in Simon’s Town and 106 units of abalone were seized. During the second operation, which was done in collaboration between DFFE, Cape Nature and Provincial Traffic, a suspected vehicle transporting illegally harvested abalone was intercepted near Grabouw and was pursued to Nomzamo near Gordons Bay. The driver was arrested and a total of 8,686 units of abalone was seized.