A high-speed pursuit along the N2 highway from Grabouw to Gordon’s Bay ended in the arrest of a suspect and the seizure of more than 2 000 illegal abalone on Tuesday night (6 October).

The operation unfolded after Law Enforcement officers gave chase to a Nissan NP200 bakkie laden with poached perlemoen as it sped over the Overberg Pass from Grabouw toward the Helderberg basin.

The suspect vehicle was ultimately intercepted on the N2 opposite a petrol station in Gordon’s Bay after vehicles from Gordon’s Bay Security (GBSec) stepped in to assist Law Enforcement in blocking its path.

In the utility vehicle officers uncovered a massive haul totalling 2 005 units of abalone. The adult male driver was arrested at the scene, and both the suspect and the confiscated abalone were transported to the Gordon’s Bay South African Police Service station for processing.

Confirming the operation, Western Cape police spokesperson Thembakazi Mpendukana stated police had acted on targeted information regarding the suspect vehicle.

“This office confirms that an adult male was arrested by Gordon’s Bay SAPS members following the discovery of abalone in his vehicle,” he said. “The members had received information which led them to the suspect’s car on the N2 Road opposite a petrol station in Gordon’s Bay on Tuesday 6 September around 21:30.”

The suspect remains in custody and is expected to face charges related to the illegal possession and transportation of abalone when he appears in the Somerset West Magistrates’ Court on Thursday 8 September.

The incident comes just weeks after two men were arrested in Strand after Law Enforcement had intercepted a vehicle carrying 856 units of illegally harvested abalone hidden in the boot.

The joint law-enforcement action took place at approximately 05:55 at the intersection of George Street and Gordon’s Bay Drive.