Abalone smugglers nabbed in Polokwane
Three people found to be transporting Abalone, were arrested during a joint intelligence-led operation in the city on Friday evening.
POLOKWANE – The operations was conducted by the Provincial Endangered Species Unit together with the Polokwane Crime Intelligence Unit, the Western Cape Provincial Crime Intelligence Unit, the Polokwane K9 Unit and members from the Polokwane International Airport.
The trio were interpreted after the team received information about a grey NP200 bakkie, traveling from Polokwane to Beitbridge Port of Entry, transporting Abalone, says Police Spokesperson, Col Moatshe Ngoepe.
“A vehicle matching the same description was then spotted in a street in the city, was pulled off the road and then searched. During the search the team found 37 boxes full of Abalone and subsequently, three people were arrested. ”
The estimated value of the Abalone is R7 million and the origin and destination of the arrested suspects and the abalone will be determined through ongoing police investigations, Ngoepe says.
The accused who are believed to be part a a crime syndicate, will appear in the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court soon on a charges of possession of endangered species (Abalone).
The Police Provincial Commissioner, Lt Genl Nneke Ledwaba complimented the team on a job well done.
