SAPS members arrested two abalone peddlers on the N1 national road near Worcester in two separate incidents that occurred on Tuesday, before the ‘highly valued shellfish’ could reach its destination, Cape {town} Etc reports.
In the first incident, a 39-year-old male was arrested for possessing abalone without a permit, during an ‘integrated operation’ on Tuesday.
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Members attached to the K9 Breederiver, Provincial Crime Intelligence, Kuilsrivier STESU in conjunction with Provincial Traffic and Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environmental Affairs were involved in the arrest, according to a press statement issued by the SAPS.
The members were following up on information that they had received about a truck transporting abalone from Cape Town on the N1 national road.
A Vehicle Check Point (VCP) was quickly set up on the N1 Road near Meirings Park, Worcester and the identified truck was spotted and pulled over.
A search of the truck and its cargo ensued and abalone was found inside the cabin of the truck by K9 Layla, a protected species detection dog.
Further searches conducted by Layla resulted in more bags being discovered in ‘a compartment attached to the outside of the truck’.
A total amount of 4 582 dried abalone, with an estimated street value of R2 million, was eventually confiscated by the authorities.
On the same day, information regarding another truck, that was also transporting abalone from Cape Town, was received.
The Worcester Anti-Gang Unit (AGU) responded to the information and pulled over the truck on the N1, conducting a search of the vehicle.
They discovered 960 dried abalone with an estimated value of R468 105 inside the cabin of the truck. A 41-year-old man was subsequently arrested for the possession of abalone.
Both suspects are due to appear today in the Worcester Magistrates’ Court on their respective charges.
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Picture: Supplied / SAPS
