A Lotus River man appeared in the Wynberg Magistrate's Court on Thursday after allegedly being caught with abalone worth R1.5 million.
Nithaam Adams, 36, was arrested by officers of the National Intervention Unit (NIU) on Tuesday.
Sergeant Noloyiso Rwexana initially said the perly was worth R3.5m.
She said officers received a tip-off about abalone being stored at a residence in Ottery and found it in an outside room.
“Gas tanks, industrial fencing, gas burners and other equipment were also seized,” she said.
Dressed in a blue T-shirt and jeans, Adams stood in front of Magistrate Goolam Bawa on Thursday where his lawyer, Leon van der Merwe, told the court he can’t afford the R50 000 bail.
SUSPECT: Nithaam Adams, 36
“We note that the State is not opposing bail, but my client cannot afford the R50 000 for bail. He is a self-employed tiler who earns about R5 000 and can afford R20 000.”
Bawa questioned whether or not Adams wanted to explain how he got arrested but Van der Merwe said: “I advised him not to answer that question.
“However, we don’t know if there was a search warrant but we know it [perly] was found in a garage on the premises. There are several people staying at that premises other than my client. So where does that leave us? We will get to that at the trial phase.”
Bawa set bail at R50 000 and indicated that if Adams was unable to pay he would be sent to Pollsmoor Prison until his next court date on 21 August.
It could not be confirmed whether or not Adams paid bail on Thursday.