Crash yields perlemoen haul
2003-10-08 10:45
Cape Town - Police and officials attached to Operation Neptune confiscated 2 350 perlemoen worth about R190 000 after a vehicle transporting the shellfish left the road and crashed into a ditch near Gansbaai in the Western Cape on Wednesday.
Inspector Eben Groenewald of Hermanus police said officials were following the vehicle, an Opel Monza, about 04:30.
When the driver saw the flashing blue lights of the police vehicle ahead, he applied brakes, lost control and crashed into the ditch.
Groenewald said the vehicle was damaged beyond repair, but there was no sign of the driver.
From last Friday until Tuesday night, police and marine and coastal management officials attached to Operation Neptune, the anti-poaching unit, had confiscated 3 154 perlemoen worth about R250 000 and arrested 19 people between Hangklip and Arniston.
Groenewald appealed to anyone with information relating to poaching activities to contact Operation Neptune on 028 313 2703.
- SAPA