POLOKWANE – A 35-year-old man is expected to appear in the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court soon on charges of illegal possession of abalone following his arrest on the N1 just outside Polokwane on Tuesday (March 8).
Police spokesperson Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo says the man was found in posession of abalone with an estimated value of R9m after the truck he was driving was stopped on the N1 north and searched.
Mojapelo says a team comprising of the SAPS crime intelligence team, the Hawks’ serious organised crime investigation team, the local criminal record center and operational response services embarked on an operation around the city regarding illicit activities.
“Seventy six boxes packed with abalone were discovered and police also confiscated the truck with a value of half a million rand.”
Mojapelo says the abalone was handed over to inspectors attached to the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries for safe keeping and disposal.
