Members of the South African Police Service’s Public Order Policing (POP) unit confiscated 5,918 units of abalone worth an estimated R630,000 during intelligence-driven operations in the Westering area of Gqeberha on Wednesday.
Acting on information received, officers executed two search warrants at storage facilities between 09:00 and 14:00. At a premises in Warbler Street, police seized 4,379 units of abalone valued at approximately R480,000. A second raid at a facility on Cape Road resulted in the confiscation of a further 1,539 units worth an estimated R150,000.
Although no arrests were made, police described the seizure as a major setback for criminal syndicates involved in the illegal abalone trade.
Authorities said the illicit harvesting and trafficking of abalone continues to threaten South Africa’s marine biodiversity and deprive the country of valuable natural resources.
Acting Nelson Mandela Bay District Commissioner, Loyiso Ngalo, praised the officers involved, saying the operation disrupted illegal supply chains and deprived criminal networks of significant financial gains.
Police have opened enquiries into both incidents and investigations are continuing to identify and arrest those responsible.
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