The State is opposing bail for two men arrested in connection with a multimillion-rand cocaine bust and the discovery of a prohibited AK-103 rifle and other unlicensed firearms, arguing that both accused pose a flight risk and that the charges suggest involvement in organised crime.

Raed Cupido, 37, a suspended Standard Bank manager, and his co-accused, Christopher Brice Carelse, 36, appeared in the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court on Friday for the continuation of their formal bail application.

Cupido was arrested on June 10, 2025, by members of the Anti-Gang Unit after police raided a storage unit in Roeland Street, Cape Town, where they found 15 bricks of cocaine valued at over R18 million, a prohibited AK-103 rifle, a 9mm Uzi Pro, five unlicensed pistols, and 130 rounds of ammunition.

Carelse was arrested later after being linked to the storage unit through ownership records and further investigation.

Throughout the court session, Cupido clenched prayer beads.

The State contends that the sheer quantity of drugs and the nature of the weapons suggest a broader criminal enterprise and that both men could face lengthy custodial sentences if convicted.

Investigating officer Warrant Officer Christiaan van Renen submitted that Cupido was captured on surveillance footage accessing the storage unit multiple times, including once on May 9, 2025, carrying a box resembling one of the drug packages later seized.

Although the unit was registered in Carelse’s name, police noted that his access card had not been used since 2022.

The officer said this discrepancy raised questions about how Cupido continued to enter the unit and store illicit items.

In his affidavit, Cupido insisted that the State’s case was speculative and unconstitutional.

He accused Van Renen of attempting to use his continued detention as leverage to obtain access to his cellphone password, which he refused to provide without a proper court order.

“The investigating officer seeks to deprive me of my liberty by unconstitutionally compelling me to assist the State with its investigation,” Cupido said, arguing that the Cybercrimes Act already allows police to apply for lawful access to digital evidence.

He pointed out that there was no forensic report confirming the drug content or market value of the cocaine and no direct evidence linking him to the firearms found.

He stated that he had no prior convictions or pending cases, had surrendered his passport, and offered to post his family home as bail security.

“The purpose of bail is not to punish me before trial,” Cupido said. He confirmed that he intends to plead not guilty.

Carelse, in his affidavit, also denied any wrongdoing and said he did not know the contents of the storage unit.

He said police arrested him at his Kensington home without resistance and questioned the State’s claim that he might flee.

“If I intended to flee, I had ample opportunity to do so,” he said.

He also denied obstructing the investigation, saying that police were already in possession of his mobile device and could pursue digital evidence through lawful channels.

Both men face charges under Schedule 5 of the Criminal Procedure Act, including dealing in drugs, unlawful possession of prohibited firearms, and possession of unlicensed ammunition.

Three of the seized firearms were traced to a 2019 robbery in Boksburg, Ekurhuleni, Gauteng, while the AK-103 and Uzi Pro were unregistered on the SAPS system.

The case has been postponed until August 1, 2025, for the bail judgment.

mandilakhe.tshwete@inl.co.za 

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