Poaching of marine resources poses a major threat to the economy of the country and contributes to the commission of other serious crime, including that of drug trafficking. Therefore, the provincial management of the Western Cape welcomed the arrest of five suspects between the ages 25 and 30 who were arrested for the possession of West Coast Rock Lobster without a permit yesterday.
On Sunday 19 November 2023 at around 19:30, police members attached to Operation Restore performing vehicle a check point on the N2 near Macassar conducted an intelligence driven operation when they acted on information about the trafficking of crayfish in a white Ford Ranger on a flatbed tow truck travelling on the N2 towards Cape Town. Members spotted the tow truck on the N2 and pulled it off the road. As the occupants appeared suspiciously nervous, the members ensued with a search of the vehicle.
During the search the members discovered and confiscated 397 West Coast Rock Lobster, 6069 lobster tails, a Ford Ranger LDV, a FAW flatbed tow truck as well as five cellular telephones. The estimated value of the seized lobster is still to be determined by officials attached to DAFF. As a result of the seizure, the members arrested the five suspects and detained them on a charge of possession of West Coast Rock Lobster without a permit. They are scheduled to appear in the Somerset Magistrates’ court, once charged.
Provincial management lauded the members for their vigilance and expressed their gratitude towards members of the community who actively participate in the fight against crime through the transmission of vital information which assist the police to act accordingly and to bring perpetrators of crime to book.
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