Cape Town – A suspended Standard Bank manager and his alleged accomplice, believed to be key players in receiving pure, uncut cocaine and unregistered firearms from international drug cartels, have been denied bail in a significant blow to their defence.
Raed Cupido, 40, and Christopher Carelse, 36, appeared in the Cape Town Magistrate's Court last Friday, where Magistrate Alida Theart delivered a damning judgment, finding that the State had presented a "very compelling prima facie case" that the accused had failed to adequately counter.
The courtroom drama was heightened by the unexpected withdrawal of Cupido's legal team, advocate Reuben Liddell and attorney Bruce Hendricks, citing "a lack of financial instructions and ethical reasons." Attorney Junaid Jumat, who already represents Carelse, has now taken on Cupido's defence as well.
Adding to the gravity of the situation, it was revealed that three of the firearms were registered as stolen six years prior. The remaining four – including two fully automatic weapons – are not registered on the national firearm system, raising serious questions about how they entered the country. The State believes an organised crime syndicate likely found an illegal entry point for these dangerous weapons.
Carelse was apprehended weeks later when investigators discovered that his name was on the lease agreement for unit 868, adjacent to Cupido's unit. He had been renting the unit since December 2020, but had not used his allocated access tag in over three years. However, tag records indicated that Cupido had access to unit 868.
The State presented video footage showing Cupido carrying a brown box into unit 868. It was during the raid that this box was found to contain the 15 bricks of cocaine.
During the bail application, Jumat argued that Cupido was a married father of two minor children, aged seven and 12, who are actively involved in his life. In addition to his position at Standard Bank, Cupido owns a transport business employing 13 individuals. He also possesses "substantial assets," including a multimillion-rand property portfolio.
Carelse, a manager at a major oil company, is in a life partnership and also has a minor child.
Jumat argued that while the State claimed to have a strong prima facie case, the evidence presented by investigating officer Lieutenant Colonel Christiaan van Renen was based on "his own opinion" and lacked further substantiation.
Both Cupido and Carelse have exercised their right to remain silent, declining to provide police with access to their cellphones. Jumat argued that it was not his clients' duty to assist the State in any way. While they did not make any submissions regarding the case's merits, they both stated in their affidavits that they intended to plead not guilty.
Prosecutor Greg Wolmarans countered that this was insufficient, given the serious Schedule 5 charges they face. He emphasised that under Schedule 5, the default position is that the accused remain in custody unless they present sufficient evidence to demonstrate that their release is in the interest of justice.
Wolmarans argued that the visual evidence was "in itself is damning," as was the State's claim that when Cupido was asked about the white substance found in the unit, he allegedly replied, "cocaine."
Wolmarans dismissed their reliance on personal circumstances as the basis for their bail application, stating that bail is a contract of trust between the accused and the court and should not be "based on misplaced pity or emotive language." He further argued that by failing to provide evidence on the merits of the case, they had failed to challenge the evidence presented by the State, which they would have done if they had an innocent explanation.
Magistrate Theart agreed, stating that a bare denial of involvement was "not enough" as they had not offered an alternative version to challenge the prosecution's charges. She found a "real probability" that their release would endanger public safety, that they would attempt to evade their trial, and that they would interfere with the administration of justice.
Theart highlighted the seriousness of the charges, noting that Cupido and Carelse are alleged to be "first receivers" for international drug cartels, playing a crucial role in the distribution of illicit substances and unregistered firearms within South Africa. This, she argued, posed a significant threat to the safety and security of the public.
The case has been postponed to 10 September for further investigation. The denial of bail represents a significant victory for the State and underscores the seriousness with which the authorities are treating this case. It also sends a strong message to those involved in drug trafficking and the illegal possession of firearms that they will face the full force of the law. The investigation continues, and further arrests may be possible as authorities work to dismantle the alleged criminal network.
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