On Friday 29 September, Kleinvlei police arrested two men for being in possession of abalone valued at R786 500.
The two Kenyan suspects, aged 43 and 47 years, were arrested at about 07:00 after a member of the public informed police that two suspicious-looking men were sitting in a vehicle at Shoprite Park in Eerste River.
“The green Golf they were sitting in was followed by Kleinvlei police to a house in the Stratford Green area,” says Kleinvlei police spokesperson, Florina Muller. “Another vehicle, a white Golf, was there and the suspects were found to be in possession of the keys to that vehicle.”
Warrant officers Stammer Samuels and David Joshua opened the boot of the white Golf and discovered several bags of fresh abalone. The two suspects were arrested and both vehicles were taken to the Kleinvlei Police Station.
At the police station, the Fingerprint Unit and the Organised Crime Unit, as well as the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, were present.
The abalone was counted in the presence of the suspects, amounting to a total of 1573 abalone with an estimated value of R786 500.
The two suspects appeared in the Blue Downs Magistrate’s Court this morning on charges of possession of abalone.
“Further investigations will be conducted into the types of modus operandi used in such instances and will then be followed up by acting station commander, Lieutenant Colonel Jacobus Andrews,” says Muller.“The case is being investigated by Sergeant Blackie Swart of the Organised Crime Unit and any information from the public will be welcomed by police.”
Anyone with information on this or similar incidents is urged to contact Kleinvlei police on 021 902 8500 or 021 902 8312.
