Johannesburg – A man was arrested for possession of perlemoen worth about R1m in Bellville, Cape Town, Western Cape police said on Friday.

The driver of a bakkie and trailer sped away from police when they tried to stop him, Colonel Tembinkosi Kinana said in a statement.

He was eventually cornered near Tienie Meyer Street, Bellville.

Police caught the 26-year-old man when he tried to run away.

“They found more than 100 bags filled with abalone stashed away in the bakkie and the trailer.

“After the suspect could not provide a valid explanation for the abalone he was arrested on possession of abalone charges.”

In a separate case, R100 000 worth of perlemoen was confiscated in Strand.

Last month police seized abalone worth R500 000 in Beaufort West.

– SAPA