The suspects were apprehended in Amazon Street, Primrose Park, during an intelligence-driven operation conducted by the South African Police Service’s Operation Lockdown III in collaboration with the Endangered Species K9 Unit.

The Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Dion George, has welcomed the successful intelligence-driven operation, which uncovered a drying facility containing 6 400 units of abalone with an estimated street value of R3 520 000.

“This operation demonstrates the unwavering performance of our law enforcement partners in protecting South Africa’s marine resources from illegal exploitation,” George said.

The suspects have been charged with the possession of abalone. This further underscore the effectiveness of joint initiatives in disrupting poaching networks.

The Minister noted that such actions are vital to the broader strategy to safeguard endangered species and ensure sustainable fisheries management.

This continued enforcement success reflects the international commitments achieved under the Cape Town Declaration on Crimes that Affect the Environment, adopted during South Africa’s Group Twenty (G20) Presidency, which recognises environmental crimes as organised crimes that demand coordinated global action.

“These types of crimes also vindicate the decision taken to uplist dried abalone under Appendix II of CITES, a step aimed at strengthening global trade controls and reinforcing efforts to combat the illegal abalone trade,” the Minister said.

The Minister reiterated this support for intensified enforcement against wildlife crime while also emphasising that “every successful seizure brings us closer to preserving our ocean heritage for future generations.”

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The efforts of enforcement officials from the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), the South African Police Service (SAPS), the City of Cape Town Marine Unit, and other enforcement agencies disrupted a large-scale illegal abalone poaching operation on Monday and Tuesday.

On 22 September, DFFE Fishery Control Officers together with the other law enforcement officers intercepted a truck with dried abalone near Rawsonville in the Western Cape.

The truck was transporting 13 341 dried abalone with a weight of approximately 840 kilograms with an estimated value of R5 million.

A day later, law enforcement officers discovered an abalone poaching operation, which involved approximately 20 divers.

Despite the difficulties posed by rough terrain and the strategic concealment tactics used by the divers, enforcement teams were assisted by the SAPS drone unit and managed to apprehend nine suspects and recover diving equipment and gear.

“These arrests, and other recent ones, are indicative of our ongoing conservation efforts supported by stronger, tactical law enforcement.

“Criminal syndicates must know that South Africans do not tolerate lawlessness and the misuse of our natural assets – those who exploit our natural resources will face the full consequences of the law,” the Minister said on Thursday.

George has called on the public to join hands in the fight against illegal activity by reporting any suspicious activities to the relevant DFFE authorities on 086 111 2468 | cscenquries@dffe.gov.za or any other law enforcement authority.

“I also extend my heartfelt gratitude to every officer and partner involved in these operations. Their hard work and sacrifice are crucial in safeguarding South Africa’s marine biodiversity,” he said.

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Illegal harvesting of marine resources threatens the economy, and contributes to the commission of serious crime. Continued efforts by members attached to the Provincial Tactical Response Team (TRT) ensured the apprehension of three suspects, a 53-year-old Chinese national and two Zimbabwean nationals aged, 28 and 31 years old, in what is believed to be one of the biggest abalone busts in this province in recent years, police said.

On Sunday, 15 September 2024 at approximately 17:00, members of the TRT acted on information about an abalone storage facility which led to an address situated in the industrial area of Rylands near Philippi.  Upon arrival at the address, officers saw a suspect who guarded the entrance gate, the suspect attempted to flee when he noticed the officers approaching. The suspect was arrested, and confirmed to be a Chinese national, and officers discovered a massive storage building which was converted into an abalone processing facility. Officers also apprehended two Zimbabwean nationals who were found inside the facility, busy processing a substantial quantity of wet and dry abalone.

Further inspection of the premises led to the discovery and confiscation of 11 485 wet and 15 200 dry abalone as well as equipment with a total estimated value of R10.3 million.

The three suspects are scheduled to appear in the Athlone Magistrates’ court on Tuesday, 17 September 2024 for the illegal possession of abalone.

Simultaneously, another TRT platoon deployed in Nyanga seized a VW Caddy and 2505 units of abalone which were found abandoned as the suspect fled the scene and is yet to be arrested.

Provincial police management lauded the members for their vigilance and commitment to eradicate the depletion of marine living resources.

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During the first incident, SAPS officers attached to the Breederiver K9 unit, Provincial Crime Intelligence, Kuilsrivier STESU, Provincial Traffic and the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environmental Affairs arrested a 39-year-old male for possession of abalone without permit during an integrated operation on Tuesday, 10 September 2024.

The officers followed up on intelligence received of a truck transporting abalone from Cape Town on the N1 national road. A Vehicle Check Point (VCP) was setup on the N1 Road near Meirings Park, Worcester. The identified truck was spotted and pulled over by Traffic Police, and a search of the truck revealed the illicit cargo.

Abalone was discovered inside the cabin by K9 Layla, a protected species detection dog. Further searches were conducted by Layla, resulting in more bags being discovered in a compartment attached to the outside of the truck.

On the same day, information was received of a second truck, allegedly also transporting abalone from Cape Town. Worcester Anti-Gang Unit (AGU) responded to the information and pulled over the truck on the N-1. Officers conducted a search and discovered 960 dried abalone, with an estimated value of R468 105,00 inside the cabin of the truck. They subsequently arrested a 41-year-old man for possession of abalone.

Both suspects are due to appear in the Worcester Magistrates’ court on 12 September 2024 on the mentioned charges.

Western Cape Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Thembisile Patekile, applauded the members involved for their vigilance, outstanding commitment, and dedication that led to the arrests and confiscation of the abalone

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“We commend the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Monitoring Control and Surveillance (MCS) Unit, working together with the South African Police Service (SAPS), for their vigilance, and for ensuring that the confiscated abalone was safeguarded until it was weighed, tagged and transported to the departmental storage facilities,” Singh said on Wednesday 14 August.

This follows the arrest of a man found in possession of 27 black plastic bags containing a total of 13 661 dry abalone.

On 5 August 2024, the MCS unit based in Port Alfred was called out to Makhanda following the discovery of the poached abalone during a stop-and-search by the SAPS.

The department said the MCS Unit will continue to work with law enforcement and other stakeholders to curb the illegal trade of marine living resources through Operation Phakisa’s Initiative 5 – Compliance and Enforcement.

Departmental officials will also heighten participation in community awareness programmes by visiting schools to educate the youth on the sustainable utilisation of marine living resources.

“I urge every South African to be vigilant and report any environmental crimes to the authorities. It is crucial that our communities work hand in hand with law enforcement agencies to protect our marine resources,” Singh said.

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