Cape Town police seized suspected stolen goods worth R8 million at a pawn shop on Monday.
Police spokesperson Captain FC van Wyk said police officers attached to the Maitland Flying Squad followed up information about a stolen watch at a pawn shop.
“They got the watch in the shop, and they further searched the premises and found another 51 expensive watches,” he said.
During the search, police also found what was believed to be uncut diamonds and different coloured gemstones.
“A total in 544 gemstones were seized. The estimated value of all items that were confiscated… [is] R8 000 000,” he said.
A 45-year-old man was arrested on charges of possession of stolen property.
He was being detained at the Cape Town police station and will appear in the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.