The SAPS Cookhouse and Graaff-Reinet Operational Command Centre arrested two suspects and confiscated abalone worth over R3 million on May 2 on the R75 as they travelled from Kariega towards Graaff-Reinet.
According to police spokesperson, Colonel Priscilla Naidu, it is alleged that at about 19:00, SAPS Cookhouse highway patrol members received information of a blue Toyota Camry and a Porsche Cayenne pulling a trailer and were travelling on the R75 from Kariega towards Graaff-Reinet, with illegal abalone.
She said the SAPS members proceeded from the N10 outside Cookhouse towards Graaff-Reinet on the R63.
Naidu said the Toyota Camry was stopped while the Porsche continued to speed towards Graaff-Reinet.
She said police officers from Graaff-Reinet Operational Command Centre blocked off the road and when the occupants of the Porsche saw their blue lights close to the entrance of Graaff-Reinet, the Porsche stopped next to the road.
Naidu said the occupants then abandoned the vehicle and ran into the bushes.
“A total of 75 bags of abalone with 9 398 units, the Porsche Cayenne, a trailer and the Toyota Camry were confiscated. The abalone was found inside the trailer and inside the Porsche,” said Naidu.
“The estimated street value of the abalone is R3 300 000.”
Naidu said the suspects, aged 47 and 51 years old from Cape Town, were detained on charges of transportation and illegal possession of abalone.
She said they are expected to appear in the Graaff-Reinet Magistrate’s Court on May 4.
