Cape Town – Police in the Western Cape have arrested a 27-year-old man after he was pulled over in Gordons Bay transporting abalone worth an estimated R2 million.
Police spokesperson Constable Noloyiso Rwexana said that on Tuesday morning, at about 6:30, police from Cape Town’s K9 Unit were conducting Crime Prevention patrols in Gordons Bay when they spotted a suspicious vehicle on the N2 traveling from Sir Lowry’s Pass.
“Police pulled over the vehicle on the N2 at Gordons Bay Road and found that it was transporting abalone,” Rwexana said. “The vehicle, a Hyundai LDV was heavily loaded with wooden pallets secured on blankets on the back of the vehicle. Police tested the vehicle and found that the number plates were false and the Hyundai was reported stolen in Milnerton last month.
“The driver, a 27-year-old man was arrested and the vehicle and abalone were confiscated.”
Rwexana said officials from the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries attended the scene and 11 857 units of shucked abalone with an estimated street value of R2 million were counted.
The suspect is expected to appear in the Strand Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, facing illegal possession of abalone and possession of stolen vehicle charges.
African News Agency
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