Central SA
Abalone of almost half a million recovered in Mangaung─── 09:00 Sat, 20 May 2023
Free State police have recovered abalone estimated at a street value of R310 000 at Mangaung in Bloemfontein.
The provincial police spokesperson, Thabo Covane, said a 51-year-old foreign national was arrested on Thursday, 18 May 2023 after he was found in possession of abalone in Bayswater. The police followed up on a tip-off and arrived at the targeted unit in the identified complex at about 12:45.
They found the suspect hiding inside the bedroom. He added that in another bedroom, police found 782 abalone shells spread out on the floor to dry. The abalone was seized and the suspect was arrested for illegal possession. He said the seized abalone weighed an estimated 14 kilograms and the estimated street value is R310 000.
A case docket was opened at Bayswater Police Station and the suspect will appear in the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court soon.
