A Bloemfontein man was arrested last night in with a consignment of abalone.
Members from the Bloemfontein and Provincial Stock Theft Units followed up on information they have received through the Eyes and Ears Initiative (E2) about a vehicle loaded with abalone travelling from Gqeberha to Bloemfontein. The information has been followed up since yesterday afternoon and just after 23:00 last night, the Ford Ranger bakkie was spotted and pulled over in OR Thambo Road near the South Campus in Bloemfontein.
Inside the bakkie, black bags containing abalone were found on the seats and at the back of the bakkie. The estimated weight of the abalone is about 1.1 tons with an estimated value of R4,2 Million. Police also confiscated the vehicle.
The 46-year-old suspect will appear in the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court tomorrow for possession of abalone.
