Gordon’s Bay police arrested a man for transporting about half a million rand worth of abalone on Thursday 12 March.
According to a police report, officers received information about a suspicious vehicle driving on Clarence Drive on the R44 towards Gordon’s Bay around 20:00.
Officers set up a strategic roadblock on Faure Marine Drive and pulled over a Toyota Hilux when it was spotted.
A search revealed 21 bags of abalone in the back of the bakkie. The driver, a 45-year-old man from Mitchells Plain, was also found in possession of tik.
Officials from the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment were called to evaluate the haul and confirmed a total of 2 218 units of abalone worth an estimated R500 000.
The suspect faces charges of illegal possession and transportation of abalone and possession of drugs. Police also confiscated the bakkie.
He appeared in Strand Magistrates’ Court on Monday 16 March on the charges.
