Friday, February 02, 2007

Authorities clamp down on abalone poachers

By Nadia Samie
2 February 2007


A South African and two Chinese citizens were arrested in a house near Melkbosstrand last night for the illegal possession of abalone.

The 25-year-old South African and the two Chinese men, aged 28 and 34, were arrested by the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism and the police’s Organised Crime Unit, following a tip-off to the police from a member of the public.

Eighteen chest freezers full of abalone were found in the house, and two vehicles were confiscated. Police spokesperson Captain Randall Stoffells' says the three suspects have been charged with possession of abalone and will appear in the Atlantis Magistrates Court on Monday.

In a separate incident on Thursday morning, a tip-off was received about illegal poaching at Robben Island. Officials monitored all the possible landing sites, the suspect was seen coming ashore. Officials followed the suspect and arrested him in Milnerton for the illegal possession of abalone. A vehicle and more than 700 abalone were confiscated.

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