Abalone bust on the N2 highway

STRAND – Two suspects were arrested and abalone worth more than R1 million confiscated after authorities pounced on a suspiciouslooking vehicle on the N2 outside Strand at the weekend. Officials of the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, with assistance from Gordon’s Bay Security (GBSec), swooped on two occupants of a Toyota Fortuner and seized a total of 7 657 units of wet shucked abalone worth an estimated R1,1 million on Sunday 2 August. According to Strand police, the incident occurred at 20:10. A trusted source who spoke on condition of anonymity said the vehicle was monitored, cornered and forced to a halt on the highway opposite a petrol station located in the Gants Centre in response to a tip-off. “A total of 7 657 units of wet shelled abalone with a weight of 491,5 kg was confiscated,” the source said. “Two men from Belhar were arrested.” The suspects, aged 28 and 29, appeared in the Strand Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (4 August) on charges of illegal possession of abalone.