2 Off-Duty Cops Arrest 2 Suspects for Possession of Abalone Worth More Than R43 000

• Two men were arrested on the N2 near Cintsa for illegal poaching of the sea creature abalone, known as perlemoen
• The vehicle with the two suspects, aged 28 and 31 years old, had been travelling to East London in the Eastern Cape
• The police seized 187 shells of abalone that they handed over to the Department of Forestry, Fishery, and the Environment

EAST LONDON—Two police officers who were not on shift received information about a vehicle driving on the N2 transporting abalone.

How were the poachers caught?

After receiving the tip-off, the off-duty police officers wore their uniforms and registered for duty. A nearby farmer assisted them.

According to a SAPS statement, the officers drove to the N2 and pulled a car over near the Chintsa turn-off. When they searched the vehicle, they found valuable poached abalone and diving suits, which led to their arrest.

Read also

Limpopo pig farm murder suspects remain in jail after judge postpones case

What is abalone?

Abalone is commonly called perlemoen in South Africa (from the Dutch meaning 'mother-of-pearl'). It is a large sea snail found in the cold waters of South Africa, Japan, New Zealand and the west coast of North America.

It is one of the world's most expensive seafood and culinary delicacies.

Below is a video of an example of land-based legal farming of abalone.

A police statement on the poaching arrest

Two men were arrested for poaching abalone. Lieutenant-Colonel Siphokazi Mawisa said in his statement.

“Police seized 187 abalone units, diving suits, and the vehicle as it was used in the commission of a crime. These suspects are due to appear at East London Magistrate's Court tomorrow [Friday]."

The abalone was handed over to the Department of Forestry, Fishery and the Environment.

Read also

Cape Town SAPS seize R600,000 worth of illegal booze from Cape Flats

Praise for the off-duty cops

South Africans think the cops did a superb job in going beyond the call of duty to protect the environment.

Stéfan Geldenhuys thinks a reward is in order:

"These officers must be compensated for their off-duty work. Well done🤝👌"

Sidwell West Khumalo commends the two officers:

"A job well done, respect to our law enforcement officials."

2 Men sentenced to 15 years for rhino poaching

Briefly News reported in a related story that two men arrested six years ago at OR Tambo with 27 rhino horns have received a substantial prison sentence.

The pair had been en route to Vietnam, intending to sell the poached rhino horns valued at approximately R2.9 million. Some South Africans expressed disappointment with the 15-year sentence, feeling the poachers should have faced a harsher punishment.

Source: Briefly News