Hout Bay police seize R500 000 in marine resources, arrest man, 38
Officers acting on crime intelligence found lobsters, abalone, prawns and lobster eggs in a sealed freezer at a premises in the Western Cape harbour town.
A 38-year-old man was arrested in Hout Bay before dawn on Monday, 21 September 2026, after police found marine resources with an estimated street value of R500 000 at a premises in the harbour town.
The South African Police Service said the arrest followed a crime intelligence driven operation by members of the Anti-Economic Crime Task Team and the Counterfeit and Illicit Policing Team, who moved at 04:30 after following up on information received.
On arrival at the identified address, officers searched the premises and found a large quantity of lobsters, abalone, prawns and lobster eggs hidden in a large freezer, sealed in different plastic bags. Diving equipment and a scale were also found and confiscated.
According to the police statement, the suspect could not give a valid reason for being in possession of the marine resources. He was arrested on charges of contravention of the Marine Living Resource Act and detained at Hout Bay SAPS. He will appear in the Wynberg Magistrates’ Court once formally charged.
Members of the Department of Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries and Environment were called to the scene, and all the exhibits were counted and confirmed by them.
The account is drawn from a SAPS media statement issued by the Office of the Provincial Commissioner for the Western Cape. It is a summary of the operation rather than the full case record. Enquiries can be directed to Captain Frederick C. van Wyk on 082 302 9906.
Source: South African Police Service, Police confiscate prohibited marine resources with an estimated street value of R500 000-00 in Hout Bay
