Overstrand Law Enforcement officials arrested six suspects and confiscated more than 1 000 abalone as well as dagga worth an estimated R8 000 during operations last week.
Deputy Mayor Lindile Ntsabo, the Mayoral Committee Member for Protection Services, reported a 28-year-old man from Masakhane in Gansbaai was arrested on Monday 20 November after 3,5 kg of dagga with an estimated street value of R8 000 was found in his possession.
Task Team and Law Enforcement Advancement Plan (Leap) officers conducted a Vehicle Check Point on the R43 at Voëlklip, said Ntsabo, when they pulled over a white Toyota Quantum with a CEO registration number.
“On searching the vehicle they discovered bags of dagga stacked inside. The suspect was arrested and detained at the Hermanus Police Station.”
He added the second big bust of the day was made on the R43 between Vermont and Hawston. “Three suspects were arrested and 416 shucked abalone, five whole abalone plus two cellphones were seized,” Ntsabo reported.
The next day, 21 November, members of the Rapid Response and Leap units were doing crime prevention patrols on the R43 between Hermanus and Kleinmond when they saw a blue Toyota Yaris driving recklessly and overtaking vehicles without using its indicators.
“They managed to stop the vehicle and found a substantial number of abalone behind the seats and in the boot of the car,” said Ntsabo. “On inspecting the bags, a total of 994 units of abalone, weighing 95,2 kg, was discovered. The estimated value of the abalone is R174 533.”
The driver and passenger were arrested on a charge of the illegal possession of abalone. The suspects and abalone were handed over to the Grabouw police.