Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Explosion and stink lead to poaching bust
AN EXPLOSION on one property and a stench from another led Western Cape police to bust two illicit abalone-processing facilities this week.
In the first incident on Thursday, at 6.50am, Maitland police responded to a complaint of an explosion at a house on Hely Street.
“The buildings were extensively damaged by the explosion. In the remains of what was the drying room, were numerous shelves of abalone being dried, a gas cylinder and a fan,” said the police.
“In another room there were a large number of containers filled with shucked abalone. Numerous items of equipment, including gas cylinders and burners, fans, scales and bags of salt are to be seized.”
One person was admitted to hospital with severe burn injuries and another fled the scene. Two suspects were arrested – a 33-year-old male and a 50-year-old woman.
“The exact value of the abalone confiscated is yet to be determined, however, it is valued at a substantial amount.
“The pair will appear in the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court on charges under the Living Marine Resource Act, once they have been charged,” the police said.
Later that day, in Goodwood, police received a complaint of a stench coming from a residence in Wiener Street.
“At about 1pm they entered the premises where they uncovered an illegal abalone- processing facility. Stainless steel pots, plastic containers and burners were found in a cooking room,” the police said.
“A second room was a fully equipped drying room filled with numerous shelves of abalone, of which many were undersized.
“The equipment, including scales, gas cylinders, boxes and also bags of salt were also seized.
“Three males aged 37, 40 and 43 were arrested and are to appear in the Goodwood Magistrate’s Court next week, facing charges under the Living Marine Resources Act.”