Africa-Press – South-Africa. Police in Limpopo have seized abalone worth more
than R9 million found on the back of a truck. One man was arrested in connection
with the bust.Officers arrested the man on Wednesday morning for
the possession of the abalone during a joint police operation in Polokwane,
said police spokesperson, Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo.He was arrested after the truck he was driving was
stopped on the N1 in the Westenburg policing area.Mojapelo said: The team searched the truck and discovered 76 boxes packed with abalone. Police also confiscated the truck valued at half a million rand.”The exhibits were handed over to inspectors
attached to the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries for
safekeeping and disposal,” he added.
While large abalone busts frequently occur in
coastal provinces, over the last six months there have been significant arrests
in inland provinces as well.READ | Police seize abalone worth R1m
in bust at Mozambican borderIn December, abalone worth more than R7 million was
confiscated during a raid at a suspected Bloemfontein processing plant. Six
people were arrested during the operation.In October, police confiscated abalone worth more
than R1 million at the Lebombo border post. Officers arrested a 39-year-old man
for illegal possession of abalone at the border with Mozambique during the
incident.Limpopo acting police
commissioner, Major General Jan Scheepers, said: These types of operations will continue as part of concerted efforts by the police in Limpopo to bring smuggling of valuable protected species to a stop.The 35-year-old man was expected to appear in the
Polokwane Magistrate’s Court soon, said Mojapelo.
Police investigations were continuing, he added.
Never miss a story. Choose from our range of newslettersto get the news you
want delivered straight to your inbox.
For More News And Analysis About South-Africa Follow Africa-Press
