Four male suspects, aged between 25 and 30, apprehended for alleged abalone poaching on the evening of Saturday, February 22, are set to appear before the East London Magistrate’s Court today, February 24.
Reporting on the incident, police spokesperson Captain Hazel Mqala said that at approximately 22:00, East London K9 received information about divers possibly poaching abalone at Gonubie Black Rock.
“K9 members operationalised and were on foot patrols while others were at observation points monitoring divers, who were seen diving with torches in the water.
“Further actions led to three males who were found coming out from the rocks, and upon noticing the members, they attempted to run back into the sea but were apprehended before that could happen,” Mqala reported.
Mqala added: “Due to this, further information was followed up, which led to German Bay, where the other suspect was arrested while attempting to flee.”
Mqala revealed that a total of six bags with wet abalone, diving equipment, and cell phones were found.
“A total of four suspects were arrested, with 297 abalone units recovered. These, along with diving equipment and cell phones, were handed over to the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) members.”
