A 50-year-old suspect was arrested in Kroonstad last night by the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation team based in Welkom together with Kroonstad Highway Patrol for transporting abalone worth millions of rands.
Hawks spokesperson captain Christopher Singo said, the Hawks received a tip-off about the alleged suspect who was transporting abalone from Free State to Gauteng.
“On Tuesday, July 5 information was received by the Hawks, members of Welkom Serious Organised Crime Investigation team and Kroonstad Highway Patrol where then activated. They followed the truck and stopped it at a filling station in Kroonstad,” Singo explained.
He said when the authorities instigated a search, the police discovered 26 boxes of abalone packed with 8381 units to the estimated value of more than R22 million from the truck.
“The abalone, the Tata truck including R25000 cash which was found in possession of the suspect were all seized,” detailed Singo.
The alleged suspect is expected to appear in court soon.
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