Suspects have abandoned their car as they fled into the bush following a recovery of over R600k worth of abalone from the Police in Eastern Cape on Tuesday. This happened after a member of the public gave the police first-hand information.

The South African Police spokesperson, Seargent Majola Nkohli has urged the residents to protect endangered marine habitats. Nkohli said a resident notified the Humansdorp K9 Unit about suspicious people that were loading plastic bags into two vehicles early on Tuesday morning, 9 November.

The vehicles – a red VW Polo and blue Audi – were being loaded at approximately 5:00 at Pellsrus Beach, Jeffreys Bay.

“Immediately, a K9 vehicle was dispatched to monitor the N2 road between Jeffreys Bay and Thornhill with the assistance of SAPS Thornhill,” said Nkohli.

The vehicles soon appeared on the N2 highway and were pulled off the road. The occupants of both vehicles jumped from the cars and ran into the nearby bushes. “A search was conducted, but the three suspects managed to escape,” said the police spokesperson.

The pair of vehicles were searched and the authorities found abalone worth more than an estimated R600 000. The vehicles were also seized as part of the investigation.

“Police opened a case of contravening the Marine Living Resources Act 18 of 1998 (illegal transporting of abalone) for further investigation. Police are closing in on the suspects, and their arrest is imminent,” said Nkohli.