A suspected poacher faces charges of attempted murder, reckless and negligent driving and illegal possession of abalone after a high-speed chase with cops on Sunday night.
Although the suspect’s accomplices managed to escape, cops confiscated 10 000 perly, worth an estimated R1.6 million.
Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel André Traut says members of the Cape Town Dog Unit and Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries officials were involved in a high-speed chase with suspects when they reacted to a tip-off about vehicles transporting perly on the N2 on Sunday night.
A source said two bakkies and a BMW sped past officials near Sir Lowry’s Pass then split into different directions.
“The blue bakkie sped into Lwandle and the driver jumped out while the vehicle was still moving.
“He managed to get away,” says the source.
Meanwhile, cops and DAFF officials chased the bakkie that drove into oncoming traffic.
“He was speeding at about 180km/h and the oncoming traffic had to swerve to avoid an accident.
“It’s a miracle there wasn’t an accident.”
“They also tried to knock over a DAFF official who tried to arrest them.”
Traut confirmed that cops arrested a 35-year-old suspect.
“One bakkie was found in Broadlands while the other was found in Somerset West.”