WESTERN CAPE – The luck of an abalone smuggler (a 38 year old man from Hawston) ran out this morning (Monday, 19 October 2020) when he was arrested at about 06:40 for possession of crayfish to the value of R3.5 million.
A security officer from Gordon’s Bay security was patrolling in the vicinity when he received information of a suspicious looking vehicle in the Lwandle area.
When the driver of the Nissan LDV realize that he was being monitored he sped off and drove towards the N2 in Somerset West. The vehicle then continued on the N2 driving towards Sir Lowry’s Pass where police joined the chase and managed to stop the vehicle. The driver was arrested and upon searching the vehicle a total of 6832 crayfish tails and 235 live crayfish were found at the back of the LDV. The crayfish was handed over to the Department of Environmental affairs, Forestry and Fisheries.
Once charged the suspect is due to appear in the Somerset West Magistrates’ Court to face the charges against him.
In an unrelated matter this weekend, members attached to the Kraaifontein SAPS were patrolling in Scottsdene, when they received information that a young man in possession of an unlicensed firearm in Hartebees Street, Scottsdene. The members followed up the information and saw the man fitting the description standing in the street. When the suspect saw the police he ran into a nearby property throwing an object on the ground. On closer inspection police found the object to be a handmade firearm with two rounds of 9mm ammunition.
A 22 year old man was arrested and detained on a possession of a prohibited firearm and ammunition charge. He will appeared in the Blue Downs Magistrates Court today.
