SANDF operation seizes abalone and cocaine in Eastern Cape crackdown

South African National Defence Force members say they have seized abalone, cocaine and other suspected illicit items during ongoing operations in the Eastern Cape.

According to a statement issued by the SA National Defence Force, Operation PROSPER is continuing to target gang-related crime through intelligence-led raids carried out alongside police.

Officials claim that in one operation, 943 deshelled abalone worth an estimated R290,000 was recovered, along with an oxygen cylinder found in an abandoned vehicle. The discovery is being linked to suspected illegal marine activity connected to organised crime.

In a separate operation, authorities say cocaine was also recovered, along with medication found during a premises search. The SANDF says this reflects a broader effort to disrupt multiple forms of criminal activity in the province.

These claims come directly from the military statement and have not been independently verified. No details have been provided on arrests, exact locations, or dates of the operations. This has not been confirmed.

The SANDF says Operation PROSPER is intelligence-driven and focused on identified crime hotspots, working in support of the South African Police Service. Officials add that cooperation between the two departments has contributed to recent successes.

For residents across parts of the Eastern Cape, including rural and coastal communities, the operation signals increased security presence—but the direct impact on local crime levels is not yet clear.

Abalone poaching and drug trafficking have long been linked to organised crime networks in coastal regions, often affecting livelihoods, marine resources, and community safety.

Authorities are urging communities to support law enforcement efforts, but no guidance has yet been issued on how residents can report information or access updates.

Pondoland Times will continue to monitor Operation PROSPER and seek independent confirmation, including police responses, arrest records, and court outcomes.

More updates are expected as additional details emerge from law enforcement sources.