Eastern Cape police yesterday made another major perlemoen bust and arrested two Western Cape men allegedly transporting their concealed cargo to Durban.The arrest yesterday morning was made by Bhisho police who noticed liquid dripping from a white bakkie with Cape Town registration plates.
The latest bust comes after King William’s Town police arrested 29-year-old Mawillies Mbekile, also from the Western Cape, with hundreds of perlemoen valued at more than R1-million on September 22.
Mbekile is still in police custody and is expected back in court on October 21.
Yesterday’s bust saw police confiscate 56 plastic bags filled with perlemoen.
Police spokesman Lieutenant Nkosikho Mzuku said the cargo had an estimated value of more than R800000.
“Like in the previous arrest, patrolling officers spotted liquid dripping from behind the back of this hired bakkie.
“When the driver failed to give satisfactory answers, the members examined the back of the bakkie and found multiple plastic bags filled with perlemoen and immediately arrested him and his accomplice,” said Mzuku.
He said despite being told by the two suspects that they were heading to Durban, police suspected yesterday’s consignment was in fact destined for East London.
“In general, we suspect there is growth in the market in , and we have interrupted some of their plans and will continue making these arrests.”
The two suspects aged 20 and 28 from Zwelihle township in Hermanus were detained at the Bhisho police station and are expected to appear in the King William’s Town Magistrate’s Court this week.
Mbekile is from the same Western Cape township and the home address he gave police shows he was neighbours with the two suspects arrested yesterday.
The driver of a white Polo allegedly escorting Mbekile when he was arrested has since been released after police could not link him to any crime.
Mzuku said both suspects arrested yesterday had been charged with contravening the Marine Living Resources Act of 1998.
When the Daily Dispatch visited the Bhisho police station yesterday police detectives and fishery control officers from the department of agriculture, forestry and fisheries, were busy inspecting and counting the discovered perlemoen.
The 56 plastic bags were hidden under blankets wrapped in black plastic with empty crates placed on top to conceal the cargo.
There was also sand placed at the bottom of the bakkie, allegedly to absorb any water that leaked out.
The driver of the vehicle, who cannot be named until he has appeared in court, told the Dispatch that he had been hired by “an unknown coloured man” to drive the vehicle and they were to meet their “escort” before the Kei Bridge. — asandan@dispatch.co.za
Another massive EC perlemoen bust
The latest bust comes after King William’s Town police arrested 29-year-old Mawillies Mbekile, also from the Western Cape, with hundreds of perlemoen valued at more than R1-million on September 22.
Mbekile is still in police custody and is expected back in court on October 21.
Yesterday’s bust saw police confiscate 56 plastic bags filled with perlemoen.
Police spokesman Lieutenant Nkosikho Mzuku said the cargo had an estimated value of more than R800000.
“Like in the previous arrest, patrolling officers spotted liquid dripping from behind the back of this hired bakkie.
“When the driver failed to give satisfactory answers, the members examined the back of the bakkie and found multiple plastic bags filled with perlemoen and immediately arrested him and his accomplice,” said Mzuku.
He said despite being told by the two suspects that they were heading to Durban, police suspected yesterday’s consignment was in fact destined for East London.
“In general, we suspect there is growth in the market in , and we have interrupted some of their plans and will continue making these arrests.”
The two suspects aged 20 and 28 from Zwelihle township in Hermanus were detained at the Bhisho police station and are expected to appear in the King William’s Town Magistrate’s Court this week.
Mbekile is from the same Western Cape township and the home address he gave police shows he was neighbours with the two suspects arrested yesterday.
The driver of a white Polo allegedly escorting Mbekile when he was arrested has since been released after police could not link him to any crime.
Mzuku said both suspects arrested yesterday had been charged with contravening the Marine Living Resources Act of 1998.
When the Daily Dispatch visited the Bhisho police station yesterday police detectives and fishery control officers from the department of agriculture, forestry and fisheries, were busy inspecting and counting the discovered perlemoen.
The 56 plastic bags were hidden under blankets wrapped in black plastic with empty crates placed on top to conceal the cargo.
There was also sand placed at the bottom of the bakkie, allegedly to absorb any water that leaked out.
The driver of the vehicle, who cannot be named until he has appeared in court, told the Dispatch that he had been hired by “an unknown coloured man” to drive the vehicle and they were to meet their “escort” before the Kei Bridge. — asandan@dispatch.co.za
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos