Abalone with an estimated street value of more than R2 million has been confiscated in the Sedibeng district in Walkerville in Gauteng on Wednesday.
The Western Cape Police’s Serious and Violent Crime: Stock Theft Unit says they made the breakthrough following an integrated law enforcement operation.
The deployed officers, who formed part of an intelligence driven operation that focuses on dealing with abalone in the country, arrived in Gauteng and proceeded to an area in Walkerville.
According to police, officers spotted a Nissan NP 200 in the early hours of the morning entering the area in the vicinity of the investigated address.
“The members remained static in the area for any eventuality and their patience was rewarded moments later when the mentioned vehicle returned.”
Officers eventually instructed the driver to stop the car, but he made his intentions known when he attempted to drive through the law enforcement officers.
A high speed chase then when the suspect tried to force the team and other road users off the road. The chase ultimately came to a halt when the driver lost control near the R59 in the vicinity of Meyerton.
“The members apprehended the man and conducted an inspection of the vehicle, and in the process confiscated a consignment of abalone.”
Officers then returned to the identified address in Walkerville where they discovered a fully operational abalone processing plant.
The driver, a 51 year old man, was arrested on charges of attempted murder, reckless and negligent driving, possession of abalone and possession of an illegal jamming device.
Once charged he will make a court appearance in the Meyerton Magistrates’ Court on the mentioned charges.
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