24/08/2026
R5 million illegal Abalone seized, busting PE poaching ring
In a recent case, Port Elizabeth monitoring and surveillance achieved significant success following an extensive period of intelligence gathering, vigilant surveillance, and proactive investigations. The operation involved complex efforts in following leads and tracking a suspected vehicle, flagged on the NAVIC ANPR network, which led to the identification of an illegal abalone drying facility at a farm near Grahamstown.
Once the facility was located, coordination between East London monitoring and surveillance, Sea Border Police, local Highway Patrol Police, and Port Elizabeth Compliance led to the search and seizure operations. Three foreign nationals were arrested for operating the illegal abalone drying facility.
Seized items included both dried and wet Abalone with a combined value of R5,793,284. A substantial amount of equipment used in the illegal operation was also seized.
This was a substantial win for the fight against illegal poaching of Abalone, and NAVIC is proud to have assisted in this complex collaborative effort that sends a very clear message to poachers across South Africa and neighbouring countries.
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