Four arrested for illegal possession of abalone in Grabouw

Four suspects have been arrested in the Overstrand on Friday for being in possession of 1 563 Units of abalone, with an estimated street value worth R350 000.

It’s alleged the foursome are part of an abalone smuggling ring.

The Western Cape’s Police Oversight & Community Safety MEC, Reagen Allen, said the K9 Unit, along with the Land Invasion and Mobile Units followed up on leads that a consignment of abalone was being illegally transported.

‘’The Units gave chase and managed to arrest the suspects along the N2 highway close to the Grabouw area. The Overstrand unit, which operates throughout the Overberg District, has 6 officers and 6 dogs.’’

Officers also confiscated two vehicles with a combined estimated value of R270 000 and 7 cellphones.

“These successes are part of the reason why we, as the Western Cape Government continue to invest in the K-9 Unit. They are disrupting the flow of illicit items and helping to put those involved in these illegal activities behind bars. The justice system must play its part by denying these suspects bail, finding them guilty and imposing heavy sentences, so that it can serve as a deterrent to would be criminals. We have to persevere in our fight against these criminal elements, as this will help establish safer environments where both human and marine life is safe and secured,” said the Western Cape’s Police Oversight & Community Safety MEC, Reagen Allen.

“There is a great need for the expansion of the K-9 Units, particularly since SAPS’ K-9 unit has been depleted in the Western Cape. The national government continues to show that resourcing SAPS in this province is not a priority, resulting in our communities, major highways and coastlines not being protected. As the Western Cape Government, we want to strategically have more K-9 units deployed in critical areas, and for this reason it is important that SAPS in the Western Cape is run by a capable provincial government such as ours. This will ensure that their K-9 unit can also be well-resourced and utilised effectively,” he added.

 

Done By: Mitchum George