SAPS
An alleged abalone poacher is in police custody after a vehicle accident led to his arrest on Saturday.
A spokesperson for Police Colonel Priscilla Naidu says the arrest of the 46-year-old man was a result of excellent synergy between the K9 units of Makhanda, Nxeba, Gqeberha and Komani.
She says police got info about a Toyota bakkie transporting abalone on the R350, reportedly making its way to Bloemfontein.
Colonel Naidu says the vehicle was found abandoned, about 27 km outside Makahanda after it was in an accident.
She says an off-duty Sergeant, Anthony Benade of the Grahamstown K9 Unit assisted the crime prevention unit and drove to the nearest hospital to make inquiries.
No person was brought in for treatment and police subsequently contacted the ambulance services that informed them that the driver had been dropped off at a nearby garage.
Colonel Naidu says the driver informed paramedics that he did not need any medical assistance and was found hiding in a room in the garage.
She says police took him back to the accident scene, where the bakkie was searched.
Naidu says when the vehicle was empty they started searching in the vicinity and found 17 bags full of abalone, hidden underneath cardboard boxes.
She says the bags contained 5 810 units of abalone with a value of over a million Rand.
The suspect will appear in court soon.
