Drug cartels in firing line in Cape Town

EXPERTS have applauded the police and Hawks, who they say are slowly crippling the international drug cartel network.

- GENEVIEVE SERRA

Large busts have taken place in Cape Town and around the country in recent weeks, totalling more than R70 million at various locations and warehouses.

The latest Cape Town case is that of R18m worth of cocaine, which was allegedly found with a suspended Standard Bank manager, Raed Cupido, 40, apparently linked to international cartels.

Cupido’s alleged accomplice, Christopher Carlese, has also been charged.

Another bust was made after a 25-year-old alleged drug trafficker was arrested on arrival from Sao Paulo (Brazil) via Doha (Qatar) on July 29.

According to police spokesperson, Amanda van Wyk, Crime Intelligence Counter Narcotics in Gauteng, OR Tambo International Airport’s SAPS team, Border Management Authority and private security intercepted the Brazilian national.