Update
PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - A preliminary police investigation into a recent abalone bust near Plettenberg Bay, during which 48 suspects were arrested and 142kg of perlemoen was confiscated, has revealed that the group allegedly gained access to the Tsitsikamma section of the Garden Route National Park through a private property.
The suspects were apprehended by South African National Parks (Sanparks) rangers between Keurbooms and Salt River near Plett on Thursday 24 January.
Police spokesman Captain Malcolm Pojie said the suspects, between the ages of 22 and 55, are scheduled to appear in the Plettenberg Bay Magistrates Court on Monday 27 January on charges of illegal possession of abalone under the Marine Living Resources Act of 1998.
Pojie said vigilant park rangers and police officers from the Mossel Bay sea border unit spotted the poachers on the shoreline near Keurbooms?.?
?“?They approached the group who were in possession of diving equipment and bags. Upon searching the bags they found a 142 kilogram of abalone concealed in these bags. They subsequently arrested the 48 suspects and confiscated their diving equipment as well as the abalone,” Pojie said.
“It is believed that the suspects are from Gansbaai. It is believed that they gained entrance to the park through a private property.”
Investigation into this matter continues.
Read a previous article: Abalone poachers apprehended
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