It was a busy day for Overstrand Municipality’s Law Enforcement Rapid Response, Marine and Land Invasion Units while conducting By-law enforcement, crime prevention and boat patrols as well as road policing in the Greater Hermanus and Gansbaai areas on 13 March 2023.

We share the following successes:

• 33 Whole abalone was found abandoned in Sandbaai after observations were made of illegal diving activities.
• In an intelligence driven operation with the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), the team followed up on information received about crayfish. Upon searching the vehicle they found 406 whole West Coast rock lobsters and 5 381 crayfish tails.
• The suspect was arrested on charges related to the illegal possession of West Coast rock lobster and transporting of crayfish without a permit. The estimated street value is R896 800.
• In an unrelated incident on 14 March 2023, unit members arrested a man for being in possession of suspected stolen property. They recovered a flat screen TV that was stolen in Westcliff.