Suspended Standard Bank manager faces serious charges in R18 million cocaine bust linked to cartel
Image: Mandilakhe Tshwete
A suspended Standard Bank retail manager and his alleged associate remain in custody following their arrest in what police are describing as a high-level drug trafficking investigation with suspected links to an international cartel and Colombian cocaine suppliers.
Raed Cupido and Christopher Carelse appeared in the Cape Town Magistrate's Court on Friday on charges relating to the possession and dealing of cocaine, possession of prohibited firearms, including an AK-103 assault rifle and a Uzi Pro machine pistol, and the unlawful possession of ammunition.
Police estimate the drugs seized carry a street value of approximately R18 million.
According to an affidavit submitted by Lieutenant-Colonel Christiaan Daniel Dirk van Renen of the Western Cape Anti-Gang Unit, Cupido was arrested on 10 June 2025 after police received intelligence about suspicious activity at a Roeland Street storage facility in the Cape Town CBD.
During a surveillance operation, Cupido was seen accessing one of the storage units.
Officers approached him, and he allegedly gave verbal consent for the unit to be searched. Inside, they discovered a white, brick-shaped substance. When asked what it was, Cupido reportedly responded, 'cocaine'.
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He was immediately arrested.
Keys found in his possession were used to access an adjacent unit, where officers later conducted a formal search under warrant.
That unit, unit 869, contained a significant stash of 15 bricks of cocaine, high-calibre firearms and ammunition, including: An AK-103 assault rifle; a Uzi Pro machine pistol; five unlicensed semi-automatic pistols and 131 rounds of live ammunition.
Two iPhones and an Apple Watch were seized from Cupido, and forensic extraction of data is ongoing. Investigators believe the digital evidence may further confirm links between the accused and broader organised criminal operations.
In his affidavit, Van Renen stated that preliminary evidence points to the involvement of an organised transnational crime syndicate.
He said the nature and quantity of the drugs, the type of weapons recovered, and intelligence from ongoing parallel investigations suggest a connection to South American cocaine networks, specifically Colombian suppliers.
'Given the quantities involved and the mode of storage, this operation bears the hallmarks of cartel-level activity,' Van Renen wrote.
Cupido's alleged co-conspirator, Christopher Carelse, was arrested after further investigation linked him to the same facility and the storage of contraband.
Surveillance footage and witness statements allegedly place both men at the scene at different times. The State contends that the two worked in concert as part of a larger operation.
Authorities are opposing bail on the basis that both accused are flight risks, have access to significant criminal resources, and could potentially interfere with the investigation, which remains active and could result in further arrests.
Cupido, through his attorney, has indicated he will plead not guilty.
His legal team is expected to challenge aspects of the search and seizure procedures and dispute the allegations of cartel involvement.
The case has been postponed to allow the continuation of the forensic investigation, including the analysis of digital devices and international communication records.
The accused remain in custody.
mandilakhe.tshwete@inl.co.za
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