A couple arrested at an accident scene on Sunday evening
after being found in possession of abalone worth more than R300 000, will
appear in the Motherwell Magistrates Court today.
The couple, 33 and 23 years old respectively, were arrested
after Swartkops police, assisted by the PE K9-unit, attended to an accident on
the N2 near the Coega Industrial Development Zone (IDZ) at approximately 17:30 on
Sunday.
According to police spokesperson, Col. Priscilla Naidu, when
police arrived at the scene, they found that a silver Opel Corsa had landed on
its roof. “After assessing the damage to the vehicle, they discovered eight
bags containing 809 units of abalone worth R320 000 in the boot,” Naidu
said.
“The couple were driving from Port Alfred allegedly on route
to Korsten. They were detained for contravention of the Marine Living Resource
Act, 19 of 1998 Regulation 36 sub sect 1 – illegal possession of abalone and
Regulation 58 sub sect 1 – illegal harvesting, diving and transportation of
abalone without a permit,” Naidu added.
Source: SAPS media statement
