
Senior bank manager behind bars after multi-million drug bust
CAPE TOWN - A senior bank manager is facing charges of dealing in drugs and the unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.
The 40-year-old, Raed Cupido made his second appearance at Cape Town's Magistrates Court this week.
Cupido was arrested on Tuesday last week during an intelligence driven operation conducted by members attached to the Anti-Gang Unit, Crime Intelligence and Provincial Organised Crime Detectives.
Police pounced onto him at a Cape Town storage facility where he allegedly kept 15 bricks of cocaine of about 15 kilograms (1kg each) with an estimated street value of R18 million as well as one AK 47 rifle, an Uzzi, five 9mm pistols and an assortment of ammunition.
The suspect is expected to make another appearance at the end of June and eNCA will make an application to film the court proceedings on the day.
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Senior bank manager behind bars after multi-million drug bust
CAPE TOWN - A senior bank manager is facing charges of dealing in drugs and the unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition. The 40-year-old, Raed Cupido made his second appearance at Cape Town's Magistrates Court this week. Cupido was arrested on Tuesday last week during an intelligence driven operation conducted by members attached to the Anti-Gang Unit, Crime Intelligence and Provincial Organised Crime Detectives. Police pounced onto him at a Cape Town storage facility where he allegedly kept 15 bricks of cocaine of about 15 kilograms (1kg each) with an estimated street value of R18 million as well as one AK 47 rifle, an Uzzi, five 9mm pistols and an assortment of ammunition. The suspect is expected to make another appearance at the end of June and eNCA will make an application to film the court proceedings on the day.