Western Cape: Early this morning members from the Cape Town K9 Unit followed up information about a vehicle allegedly transporting abalone escorted by two other vehicles from Hermanus to Cape Town .
Police were cautioned that the occupants of the three vehicles could be armed.
At 06:30 police spotted the vehicle, a silver Mitsubishi Colt LDV, passing a petrol station on the N2 traveling in the direction of Somerset West and gave chase. Upon approaching Lwandle two vehicles, a Toyota and BMW, attempted to force the police vehicle from the road, but the latter evaded them and the escort vehicles sped off.
The LDV was pulled over on the N2 opposite Lwandle where a male passenger attempted to flee but was soon apprehended.
Bags of shucked abalone were found inside the vehicle stacked behind the seats as well as on the back of the vehicle.
Police also recovered an unlicensed 38 special revolver loaded with five rounds and a plastic bag containing another 20 rounds of ammunition under the seat.
The two male occupants were arrested and 3 377 units of shucked abalone confiscated.
The two men will appear in the Strand Magistrates Court on Monday on charges of the illegal possession and transportation of abalone as well ad possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.
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