On the night of February 22, traffic officers in Muizenberg received an urgent tip-off about a vehicle suspected of being involved in illegal poaching activities.

The vehicle was attempting to leave the area, and officers were on high alert.

Earlier that evening, officials from the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment (DFFE) had been pursuing a Hyundai.

When the vehicle was stopped, the suspects quickly abandoned it, fleeing on foot into the mountains near the Red Hill informal settlement under the cover of darkness.

Inside the Hyundai, officials found a staggering 692 units of freshly poached abalone.

A Secondary Vehicle on the Move

Thanks to their use of modern technology and close collaboration with local community groups, law enforcement was able to track down a secondary vehicle linked to the poaching operation.

The vehicle was spotted leaving the area the next morning.

Traffic Services quickly responded, intercepting the vehicle before the suspects could escape.

Upon stopping the vehicle, they identified the driver and two other individuals—suspects who had fled the scene the night before.

The suspects were arrested and detained at Simonstown SAPS.

The quick response from traffic officers helped prevent the operation from slipping through their fingers.

Poaching Operation Foiled Again

Earlier in the week, on Friday morning, traffic officers had also received information about a poaching-related vehicle leaving Muizenberg on Baden Powell Drive, heading towards Mitchells Plain.

Knowing that attempting to stop the vehicle could result in the suspects fleeing into the nearby sand dunes, officers quickly called in support from the Metro Police Tactical Response Unit based in Mitchells Plain.

They set up an ambush ahead of the vehicle’s route.

As the suspect vehicle approached, officers from both Traffic Services and Metro Police surrounded it, ensuring none of the occupants could escape.

Inside the vehicle, three bags of freshly poached abalone were discovered.

Five suspects were arrested and handed over to Muizenberg SAPS for further processing.

The Tireless Efforts of Traffic Services

The dedication and persistence of the Traffic Services enforcement teams deserve recognition.

They go above and beyond their usual traffic duties, continuously playing a crucial role in combating illegal activities like poaching.

Their quick thinking and teamwork make a real difference in protecting local wildlife and enforcing the law.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

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