NATIONAL NEWS - Abalone with an estimated value of approximately R-1 million was confiscated in Ladismith and Beaufort-West respectively on Tuesday (21 January).
First incident
Preliminary investigation indicates that at approximately 11:50 on Tuesday, members attached to the Provincial Traffic Department pulled over a WV Kombi that was en-route to Johannesburg during a routine roadworthy test on the N 1 between Laingsburg and Beaufort-West.
During the inspection that followed, they discovered 56 plastic bags filled with 5321 units of abalone hidden under a canvas in the back of the kombi.
Two men, aged 49 and 36, were detained at the Laingsburg police holding cells.
The abalone, with an estimated value of R600 000 was confiscated and handed over to officials of Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) for further disposal.
The two suspects appeared in the Laingsburg magistrates’ court yesterday and were remanded in custody pending a formal bail application to be brought to court on Wednesday, 27 January.
Second incident
Visible Policing members attached to the Ladismith SAPS attended an accident scene between Barrydale and Ladismith on Tuesday at about 14:15, approximately 2km from Ladismith, when they discovered abalone to the estimated value of about R400 000 in the car involved in the accident.
The driver of a silver Kia-sedan lost control of his vehicle where after the vehicle left the road as the driver was travelling towards Ladismith. 33 bags filled with abalone were discovered inside the car. The 1459 units of abalone were confiscated and handed over to officials of Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) for disposal.
The 37-year-old driver was arrested on the scene and is currently detained at the Ladismith police holding cells pending further investigation. He will be charged for the illegal possession of abalone and will appear in the Ladismith magistrates’ court.
Information courtesy of the Southern Cape Police
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