SAPS members seized 13 019 abalone, worth more than R2 million last Wednesday night  in Botriver. The success came just before 23:45 when SAPS members received information from the public that abalone are being stored illegally at a house near a farm in Botriver. During the operation the members seized dried and fresh abalone with an estimated street value, worth more than R2 million. They arrested a 31 year old male from Central Square in Bellville appeared in the Caledon Magistrate’s Court on Monday, on a charge of possession of Abalone. The SAPS members also confiscated two vehicles- one Volkswagen Caddy and one refrigerating truck; two fridges, drying equipment, three cell phones, and an undisclosed amount of cash. More arrests are likely to be made as the investigation continues. In an unrelated success court case last week (Wednesday, 5 March 2014) in the Somerset West Magistrate’s Court, a 56 year old man was found guilty for catching crayfish without a valid permit and was fined to the amount of R1.5 million or 6 years imprisonment. He was found guilty after he was arrested last year, 01 October 2013 around 06:00 when members of the Cape Town Dog Unit spotted a suspiciously looking White Opel Astra driving on the N2 in the direction of Cape Town, near Somerset West. The vehicle was stopped and during the search they found 2712 crayfish tails and 900 crayfish inside the vehicle. The 56 year old man from Grassy Park was then arrested. The Station Commander of Somerset West police station, Colonel Williams has congratulated Detective Warrant Officer Carleigh Noemdo for his hard work and dedication into the guilty conviction of the suspect.