Abalone. Photo to illustrate

Abalone poachers lost their loot this week. According to police spokesperson Captain FC van Wyk, Cape Town Marine Law Enforcement received a complaint of persons diving for abalone at Melkbosstrand on Wednesday at  23:00.

Members of the SA Police Service, City of Cape Town Law Enforcement, along with Sanparks, responded to the complaint. Surveillance was set up and at 02:00 a white Nissan Almera motor vehicle appeared. What looked like six plastic bags containing abalone were picked up.

Police attempted to stop the vehicle but the driver sped off. The police gave chase as the driver drove in a northerly on the N7, in the direction of Malmesbury. The driver diverted onto the road leading to Chatsworth. In Chatsworth the police lost sight of the vehicle.

Six plastic bags containing abalone
They regrouped and after an intensive search they found the vehicle, which had been abandoned with its loot. Six plastic bags containing abalone were retrieved. No arrests have been made yet, but the investigation is ongoing. The vehicle has also been seized. The estimated street value of the abalone is R650 000.