The City’s “eye in the sky" spy plane has sniffed out suspected poaching operations in Hout Bay’s waters, leading to the arrest of two men, aged 34 and 37, who were allegedly caught with bags of illegal crayfish.

On Monday at 4am, the two-seater fixed-wing Cessna fitted with information, surveillance and reconnaissance, or ISR, technology spotted a fishing boat off the coast in Hout Bay, says mayoral committee member for safety and security JP Smith.

“Suspected to be a poaching vessel, our control room was informed. The vessel was soon detected and monitored closely as the crew went about their poaching operations,” he said.

“Unbeknownst to them, their actions were closely recorded as they offloaded their vessel and quietly drove off to a residence close by. By this time, several members from the Metro Police Tactical Response Unit, along with the Metro Police Gang and Drug Task Team, had assembled and pulled up outside the house that the ISR plane had held its focus upon,“ said Mr Smith.

Hout Bay police chief Lieutenant Colonel Jerome Syster confirmed that City Law Enforcement and Hout Bay police officers together with officials from the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment had searched the Atlantic Skipper Road house and confiscated crayfish.

“Members searched the premises, and in the fridges, they found black bags containing 6250 crayfish tails and 402 whole crayfish.

“The two men were unable to provide permits to possess these items and were arrested and detained at Hout Bay police station. The pair will appear in Wynberg Magistrate’s Court on Thursday May 2 for the possession of crayfish without a permit,“ he said.

A high-powered boat was also impounded after allegedly being used in the commission of a crime, Mr Smith said.

“The ISR has immediately shown its enormous value, not only in documenting the entire crime for evidentiary purposes but for the first time in allowing an intelligence-led approach to bringing the perpetrators to book,” Mr Smith said.

Ward councillor Roberto Quintas praised all those involved in the operation.

“These species are at risk of extinction in our ocean waters and are exchanged for cash, firearms, drugs and are also linked to human trafficking. These drugs make their way back to our street and are sold back into the very communities who battle with tik and other drugs.

“These drugs ruin lives, make thieves and criminals of our youth in order to feed their addictions, and create a host of social ills and misery for the majority of the law-abiding residents of Hangberg and surrounds,“ Mr Quintas said.

The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment could not provide a response before deadline.

A high-powered boat was impounded according to mayoral committee member for safety and security JP Smith. Picture: Facebook.

The City’s “eye in the sky” plane monitors incidents in real time, providing information to law enforcement agencies. Picture: Mahira Duval.

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Spy plane aids poaching bust