Table View abalone bust

Among the contraband found at the three homes in Table View were more than 2 000 units of abalone.

Large amounts of abalone and other contraband were seized at three homes in Table View last week.

Seven people between the ages of 23 and 38 were arrested at the three homes.

Provincial police spokesperson Sergeant Noloyiso Rwexana said police and Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries agents seized 2 225 units of dried abalone, eight shucked abalone, 347 West Coast lobster tails, seven whole lobster and nine heads.

Also found were various items made of rhino horn, laptops, cellphones and cash.

The suspects were expected to appear in the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court on Monday February 19.

Meanwhile, about 26 tons of copper, worth about R2 million, were found in a container in Montague Gardens on Thursday.

Law enforcement spokesman Wayne Dyason, said the City’s Metal Theft Unit and police had found the container after receiving a tip-off.

“According to the sources, the container was hidden in a warehouse in Montague Gardens, in Milnerton. The exact location was not disclosed. An inspection was conducted on various premises in the general area where the container was expected to be found,” said Mr Dyason.

He added that they had received authorisation from the business owner whose premises were searched.

Tony Pronk, of the Montague Gardens-Marconi Beam Improvement District, said: “One of our biggest problems is the theft of copper. People will steal these wires even from telephone poles, making communication an issue.”

There have been no arrests yet in connection with the copper haul.