South African National Parks (SANParks) said the arrest of 12 suspects at Cape Point on charges of abalone poaching, highlights the ongoing efforts by law enforcement authorities to combat environmental crime and protect South Africa's marine resources. SANParks spokesperson, JP Louw, said the arrests were made on Tuesday night, during an intelligence-driven enforcement operation conducted by their environmental crime investigation unit. He said the bust also formed part of a major ongoing investigation into illegal marine resource exploitation. "During the operation, two suspicious vehicles were intercepted and searched." A significant quantity of diving equipment was discovered, indicating preparations for illegal abalone harvesting within the protected area," he said. Louw said were en route to the Cape Point section of TMNP but were arrested and detained at Simon's Town SAPS. He said all diving equipment was seized, while the suspects were expected to appear in the Simon's Town Magistrate's Court on Thursday. "This operation is regarded as a major success, effectively preventing a coordinated group from entering a national park to carry out illegal poaching activities" Louw said.