A joint early-morning operation in Hawston last week seized more than 1 400 West Coast rock lobsters, worth an estimated R718 000.
The operation, involving the Overstrand Municipality K9 Unit, Hermanus SAPS and CapeNature, followed information about the illegal harvesting outside the official harvesting season.
While responding, officers spotted a white single-cab bakkie transporting crayfish. The driver fled into a side street upon noticing the enforcement team, dumping several bags before escaping.
A subsequent search recovered 1 436 units, comprising 28 whole rock lobsters, 1 153 tails and 255 tails from egg-carrying females.
Investigators also identified two white Toyota Hilux bakkies bearing CEM number plates and the fishing vessel Luna Scott as items allegedly used in the commission of the offence.
An enquiry docket has been opened, and Investigations are continuing.
Ammunition recovered
In a separate intelligence-driven operation in Hermanus, Overstrand Law Enforcement officers recovered ammunition from a vehicle believed to have been used in a robbery.
The municipality’s K9 Unit also conducted crime-prevention patrols along the R43 and in Mount Pleasant, Schulphoek, Zwelihle, Westcliff, the Hermanus CBD, Vermont and Hawston as part of ongoing law enforcement efforts across the municipal area.
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