On the evening of Wednesday 14 September, members from the Cape Town K9 Unit were conducting crime prevention patrols on the N2 when they noticed a Toyota double cab driving down Sir Lowry’s Pass in the direction of Somerset West. The driver of the vehicle was talking on his cell phone which roused their suspicion, especially when he stopped in the middle of the road close to the intersection with Broadlands Road. They then drove towards the vehicle at which time the driver pulled away and as he accelerated a Nissan single cab approached from behind and drove in between the Toyota double cab and the police vehicle.
The members followed the Nissan, activated their siren and blue lights and at approximately 22:25, pulled the vehicle from the road on the N2 opposite Lwandle. The double cab sped off, but upon approaching the Nissan the members noticed various plastic bags through an open canopy window. These bags all contained abalone.
The driver of the vehicle, a 27-year-old resident from Site B, Khayelitsha, was arrested and the vehicle containing the abalone seized. Officials from the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries were summoned to Lwandle police station where the abalone was counted. It amounted to 2 447 units of shucked abalone. It must still be weighed to determine the exact value, but was estimated at approximately R300 000-00.
The arrested suspect is to appear in the Strand Magistrates Court on Friday on charges of the illegal possession and transporting of abalone.
South Africa Today – South Africa News
