Cape Town traffic officer's routine stop leads to motorist's arrest for possession of abalone

CAPE TOWN - A Cape Town traffic officer's routine stop resulted in a surprising discovery.

While driving along the Glencairn Expressway on Wednesday morning, the officer noticed a Chevy Spark overtaking another vehicle on a solid line, and at speed.

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Upon stopping the car, the officer noticed bags in the back of the car and conducted a search.

Traffic services spokesperson, Maxine Bezuidenhout, says the bags were filled with abalone with an undetermined value.

"He found two bags filled with abalone and immediately placed the 27-year-old driver under arrest. He was detained at Simon's Town SAPS. Officials from the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries were alerted."