Police in Cradock have confiscated 1.4 tons of abalone worth R2 million this week after a car chase.
According to police spokesperson Captain Lariane Jonker, it is alleged that patrolling members noticed two suspicious looking bakkies driving in a convoy through Cradock on Wednesday, October 13.
“After a white Ford Ranger bakkie was stopped and searched in Cradock, 783 kilograms of frozen abalone was discovered, and a 37-year-old male was arrested. The other Toyota Hilux bakkie then sped off in the direction of Hofmeyr. After a high-speed car chase, the vehicle was found abandoned and locked in Hofmeyr, with an estimated one ton of frozen deshelled abalone,” Jonker said
She added that the abalone was handed over to Gqeberha’s Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. The two vehicles have also been seized, Jonker said, pending further investigations. The arrested suspect will appear before the Cradock Magistrate’s Court soon on charges relating to possession of abalone.
