Couple caught with R1m worth of abalone

A YOUNG Bloekombos, Kraaifontein couple were arrested for being in possession of 200 boxes of abalone worth R1 million.

The 36-year-old man and his 24-year-old wife were taken into police custody on Wednesday, after officers patrolling the area found 200 boxes of abalone valued at R1m that had been offloaded from a hijacked truck in Paarden Eiland earlier that morning.

Spokesperson Andre Traut said that police were busy with crime prevention patrols in Bloekombos when they were alerted that a truck with cargo had been hijacked shortly after 9am in Neptune Street, Paarden Eiland and had been traced to Lesibane Street, Bloekombos.

“When officers arrived at the truck’s location they noticed the suspects unloading boxes from the container. Some fled. On further investigation officers found 200 of the 437 boxes of abalone inside an establishment.

“The couple was arrested for the possession of presumed stolen property, and are due to appear in court once they are charged,” said Traut.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday, Cape Town Central police and other law enforcement agencies conducted an operation in the city centre.

The team targeted cellular repair stalls suspected of buying and selling stolen cellphones.

Police spokesperson Noloyiso Rwexana said the operation was a success and led to the arrest of two suspects aged 36 and 40 for presumed stolen property. In total, 119 cellphones were seized for safe-keeping.

In Steenberg, police arrested a 38-year-old suspect for being in possession of an illegal firearm and live ammunition.

“While conducting crime prevention patrols in Oboe Street, Retreat police came across a man who started running when he saw their vehicle approaching. Police gave chase and apprehended him.

“On searching him, a 9mm pistol with its serial number filed-off and six rounds of live ammunition were found in his possession. The suspect is due to appear in court on Friday (today),” said Rwexana.