In Milnerton on Friday shortly after 4pm, the police’s anti-poaching unit descended on a larney house in Erica Street where they confiscated perlemoen and shark fins with an estimated street value of R5.5 million.
According to a Milnerton resident, who asked to remain anonymous, the trouble started four months ago when the group of Chinese nationals moved into the house.
“About two months after that, people in the area noticed a stink fish smell. They also created a second access gate on the side of the house,” the resident says.
The community reported the matter to police.
Police spokesperson, Lieutenant-Colonel André Traut, says a total of 14 people were arrested in the bust.
“Cash to the tune of R50 000 and an Isuzu LDV were also confiscated. The suspects are all due to make a court appearance in Cape Town on Monday.”
Milnerton Community Police Forum (CPF) chairperson says they are concerned about organised crime in the precinct.
“This is the second big perlemoen bust in the Milnerton precinct in a matter of months.
“I think these people came to Milnerton thinking they would go undetected but tough tits for them.”
In December, police confiscated 4 840 wet shucked perlemoen and 34 dry units at a property in Derby Close.
None of the occupants were home and no arrests were made.
In an unrelated incident, cops arrested three people at Okavango Business Park in Brackenfell on Thursday who were caught with 40 boxes of dried perlemoen.