A suspect caught with over R400,000 worth of illegal lobster tails has been arrested, thanks to the heroic work of the Swartland Municipality’s K9-Unit.
Western Cape, South Africa (19 February 2023) – An early morning tipoff resulted in a significant find of illegally poached rock lobster earlier yesterday near Malmesbury.
The Swartland Municipality’s K9-Unit, along with the Malmesbury Safety Members, were dispatched after receiving a tip about a suspicious vehicle travelling from Hopefield in the direction of Malmesbury.
Two of South Africa’s high-value marine living resources, abalone (Haliotis midae) and West Coast rock lobster (Jasus leylandii), are threatened by illegal harvesting and trade by organised criminal syndicates.
Levels of poaching have been described as an ‘epidemic’.
These criminal activities erode respect for the rule of law, threaten sustainable livelihoods, and cause socio-economic degradation, the proliferation of gangsterism and increased associations with international criminal syndicates. The ‘continuing breakdown in the rule of law, uncontrolled corruption and the collapse of public service delivery without holding culprits accountable’ has led to the formation of parallel ‘states’ beyond the control of the government.
But not this time! Thanks to the K9-Unit, the vehicle was apprehended on the N7, close to Bokomo Road, near Malmesbury. Upon further investigation, more than 20 bags filled with lobster tails were found in the vehicle.
These bags contained more than 4,000 illegal lobster tails with an estimated value of R 412,600. The suspect has been arrested and all the tails have been confiscated.
A case has been opened with the Malmesbury SAPS and the suspect will appear in court at a later date.