WESTERN CAPE — A major Brackenfell abalone bust has thwarted the illegal trade of highly valued marine wildlife, resulting in the arrest of two foreign nationals and the confiscation of thousands of undocumented shellfish. Acting on precise intelligence, members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) intercepted the illicit operation in the Brackenfell Industrial area before the endangered species could be transported to their final destination.
The successful intervention was the result of a coordinated, intelligence-driven operation. Officers from the Kuilsrivier Stock Theft and Endangered Species Unit (STESU) collaborated with the Maitland Flying Squad to act on a tip regarding a specific storage facility suspected of holding undocumented marine products.
During the sting, the suspects’ vehicles were spotted and pursued by law enforcement. Upon securing the perimeter, authorities executed a thorough search of the targeted storage unit. Inside, police discovered a staggering 9,439 units of dried abalone lacking the required legal documentation. The exact financial value of the seized contraband is currently being calculated by experts.
In addition to the massive haul of dried shellfish, police impounded the two vehicles used to facilitate the transport of the illicit goods: a Hyundai IX35 and a GWM pickup truck.
The crackdown led to the apprehension of two male foreign nationals—a 49-year-old Chinese citizen and a 36-year-old Tanzanian national. Both suspects face charges related to the possession of abalone without proper documentation and are scheduled to make their first appearance in the Kuilsrivier Magistrates Court on Thursday, 13 August 2026.
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