Second arrest for perlemoen

A YOUNG couple was arrested with perlemoen in Port Elizabeth late on Wednesday, bringing to three the number of people arrested with the shellfish this week.

The two – a man and woman, both 24 – were arrested following a raid at their Smallville townhouse in Bridgemead.

Police, acting on a tip-off, allegedly found a chest freezer full of perlemoen.

"The total value of perlemoen is in the region of about R50000. This is part of an ongoing operation to eliminate perlemoen poaching along the Eastern Cape coastline," an officer said.

The couple's car was also confiscated.

They are expected to appear in the Port Elizabeth Magistrate's Court today.

The raid comes just a day after a 59-year-old Swartkops man was arrested while travelling along the N2 into Port Elizabeth from Jeffreys Bay, allegedly with perlemoen worth about R90000.

Police spokesman Captain Johan Rheeder said the Hawks organised crime division was investigating both cases.

The Asset Forfeiture Unit had also been called in to assist with the confiscation of assets bought with money made through criminal activity. - Gareth Wilson