Latest news with #Cupido
IOL News
04-08-2025
- IOL News
Crippling drug cartels: Recent police operations yield R70 million in drug seizures
Police officers in action during a significant drug bust in South Africa, showcasing the ongoing battle against international drug trafficking. Image: AI RON Experts have applauded the police and Hawks, who they say are slowly crippling the international drug cartel network. 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 R18 million worth of cocaine, which was allegedly found with a suspended Standard Bank manager, Raed Cupido, 40, apparently linked to international cartels. A suspended senior banker is alleged to be a first receiver of the drugs from international drug cartels. Image: Supplied Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ 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 São 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. 'About 10kg of cocaine worth R4.2 million was found in the luggage. The suspect was taken for a medical exam to check for swallowed cocaine bullets. SAPS continues to dismantle transnational drug syndicates, over 25 traffickers arrested at this port of entry since the start of the year,' Van Wyk said. Suspended Standard Bank manager Raed Cupido and co-accused Christopher Brice Carelse appeared in the Cape Town Magistrates Court on Friday. Image: Mandilakhe Tshwete On July 13, during a search of a premises in Goodwood in Cape Town, a 32-year-old man from Tanzania and a 28-year-old from Burundi were found with 145kg of tik and 16kg of heroin, totalling R54.3million. Willem Els, senior training coordinator on terrorism and explosives related incidents at the Transnational Threats and International Crimes Programme and of the Institute for Security Studies said cartels needed protection, and in some cases, politics were also at hand. 'South Africa is known as the 'Southern Route' for both heroin and synthetic drugs smuggled along the east coast of Africa, along the so-called Swahili coast, or also branded in an ISS Research paper, the 'Heroin Coast'. They make use of the existing trade route that has been in existence for around 1000 years,' he said. 'These drugs are smuggled on traditional boats or Dhows, entering the continent through southern Tanzania and Northern Mozambique. From there, they are smuggled over land to South Africa. "Of late, several major clandestine drug labs have been discovered, with many arrests, and amongst them, Mexican citizens. The busts in the Durban harbour, with the recent revelations of Lieutenant General Mkhwanazi, shed some light on why we do not see many arrests of kingpins. 'South Africa, with its porous borders, became a haven for these cartels to operate, and porous borders do not only refer to understaffed and ill-equipped ports of entry, but also to compromised state-embedded actors.' Els agreed, inroads and a dent was being made. 'We believe that the current shake-up within the law-and-order environment may lead to many more arrests and also the exposure of the state-embedded actors that facilitated and gained from this illicit trade,' he added. Get your news on the go, click here to join the Cape Argus News WhatsApp channel. Cape Argus
The Citizen
01-08-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Cupido brushes off Sundowns burnout concerns
'We feel like we need to take care of our bodies as players first and then the team will come into it,' said the defender. Mamelodi Sundowns defender Keanu Cupido has downplayed suggestions that the club could be affected by fatigue as they prepare to launch their 2025/26 Premier Soccer League (PSL) campaign. Sundowns' MTN8 start The Brazilians are set to kick off their domestic season with an MTN8 quarterfinal clash against Richards Bay at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Sunday night. ALSO READ: All eyes on new coach as Orlando Pirates begin MTN8 title defence However, Sundowns' participation at the recent FIFA Club World Cup has sparked a debate about their lack of an off-season break heading into the new campaign. Masandawana head into the new season with little rest following their trip to the United States, where they faced Ulsan HD, Borussia Dortmund and Fluminense at the prestigious global tournament. Their packed schedule has raised concerns about the team's physical condition after a shortened off-season. Despite the demanding calendar, Cupido insists the squad is well-equipped to manage the physical toll. 'We feel like we need to take care of our bodies as players first and then the team will come into it,' said the defender. 'We need to do our recoveries and nutrition is also very important in terms of food that we eat as players. Those are small details that separate professional players from football players. I think a few seasons ago, Mamelodi Sundowns went that direction although I wasn't here. 'You can see the change in players like Tebza (Teboho Mokoena), he played so many games but it doesn't get to a point where you'll see that. They've always been consistent in their performances as well. So at Sundowns, most players are used to it.' Ribeiro on the way out? Meanwhile, speculation continues to swirl around the future of Brazilian forward Lucas Ribeiro, who reportedly drew interest from other clubs following his standout performances at the Club World Cup. Cupido admits the absence of the newly-crowned Footballer of the Season would be felt if he secures a move away from Chloorkop. 'Lucas is a great player and I think everyone will miss a player like that. Even if you go into your workspace, if someone has to leave, you'll feel it,' he said. ALSO READ: Chiefs confirm another departure 'But as Mamelodi Sundowns, if it does happen to him, we'll wish him well. Sundowns has a lot of quality players too that will follow up where he left off … youngsters that can grow into a player like Lucas.'
IOL News
31-07-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Keanu Cupido's Mamelodi Sundowns journey: From holiday dreams to automatic starter
Mamelodi Sundowns' Keanu Cupido impressed with his performances at the Fifa Club World Cup. Image: Backpagepix Keanu Cupido thought he'd be flying out to the United States for an all-expenses paid holiday when he made Mamelodi Sundowns' final squad for the Fifa Club World Cup. But rather than finding himself soaking up the sunshine of Florida, Cupido became an integral part of coach Miguel Cardoso's plans. The Portugal-born coach surprisingly drafted Cupido into the starting lineup from the onset, and ended up starting the next two group matches too. Cupido, speaking on the sidelines of the MTN8 launch this week ahead of their quarter-final tie at home to Richards Bay Sunday, admitted he was shocked after getting the nod to start. 'It's not about (walking) straight into the team. It's been about working behind the scenes. So, it's just hard work that paid off,' the central defender explained. 'It did surprise me (to get the nod), because I hadn't played for a while. So, I thought going to a major tournament like this would be a holiday for me, but God works in mysterious ways.' Cupido 🗣 "We want to start the season very well, this is a game where we want to show up. We want to win this trophy." Our season kicks off this Sunday and we are ready to go! 👆 Get your tickets! 🎟 #MTN8 #AreyengMasandawana — Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) July 31, 2025 Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Cupido is understandably surprised. Breaking into the star-studded Sundowns team is not easy, and no coach wants to tamper with his defensive organisation. The 27-year-old, though, insisted that he was welcomed with open arms in the starting lineup as those who played alongside him gave him words of advice. 'The players at Mamelodi Sundowns make it very easy for one of us to perform on the day,' Cupido explained. 'If you go to a big game, the players will tell you: just do the basics, and simple things, then your confidence will grow. And that's what I did. 'So that helped me a lot to settle into the first game, and from then on it was a smooth ride for me.' Cupido didn't only settle at Sundowns with the help of his teammates and technical team. It also took someone close to his heart to keep him going after a tough start at the club. 'In all honesty, it was tough for me at first, but my wife made it easy for me,' said Cupido, who had only made two appearances for the team prior to the Club World Cup. 'She said 'everything works through God, if it's his timing, then it will happen'. That kept me going. 'So, I feel she played a major part in this. She kept me motivated, head down and working hard. I think that support structure is very important.' 🏆 𝗙𝗢𝗢𝗧𝗕𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗘𝗥 𝗢𝗙 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗦𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗢𝗡 🏆 In a league of his own! 🔥 Lucas Ribeiro your 24/25 PSL Footballer Of The Season! 👆 We are proud of you Lucas! 👏#Sundowns #PSLAwards25 — Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) July 29, 2025 Cupido also credited his former Cape Town City coach Eric Tinkler for pushing him after a promising start to his career. 'You need someone to trust you,' Cupido acknowledged. 'At the end of Eric's last two seasons in his last spell, he felt like he trusted me more and more. 'So, I also felt like I needed to give him back. So, since he made me the vice-captain, that gave responsibility for me as a player. 'I think it made me grow as a player as well. If you are comfortable in one spot, then you don't grow. He needed to put more responsibility on me.' There'll be more responsibilities and expectations that will be placed on Cupido and Co ahead of the new season after winning the hearts of many in the US. Cupido, though, is not fazed by that, saying the players know that their job at Sundowns comes with expectation, including giving their best season in and season out. 'We feel like we need to take care of our bodies as players firstly, and then the team will come into it when we need to do our recoveries,' Cupido said. 'We also need to look at what we eat because nutrition is very important. So that's the thing that separates professionals from the rest. 'You could see that Tebza [Teboho Mokoena] and [Lucas] Ribeiro played so many games last season, so they are used to the workload.'
The Star
21-07-2025
- The Star
Standard Bank manager linked to international drug cartel
Kim Swartz | Updated 1 hour ago THE 115 bricks of cocaine worth an estimated street value of R18 million allegedly found in possession of a suspended Standard Bank manager were linked to multiple international cartels. This emerged when Lieutenant-Colonel Christiaan van Renen, the investigating officer, testified in the ongoing bail application by Raed Cupido. The 40-year-old was arrested on 10 June over the 115 bricks of cocaine worth an estimated street value of R18m, an AK 103 Rifle, Uzi Pro Rifle, five semi-automatic firearms and 130 rounds of ammunition inside a storage unit in Roeland Street. His alleged accomplice, Christopher Carlese, 38, was arrested just over a month later, on 13 July. He claims he wasn't at the scene that day but at his home in Kensington. During their recent application in the Cape Town Magistrates Court to apply for bail, the court heard that police officers have video footage, firearm links, and forensic evidence tying both to the drugs. According to court documents, Cupido immediately admitted to cops that the white powder was cocaine when they pulled up to the storage unit. Van Renen said forensic results confirmed the drugs were linked to multiple international cartels. He said Cupido and his co-accused were 'first receivers' for international drug cartels. 'I submit that the only reasonable inference that can be drawn from these facts is that (Cupido and Carelse) are so-called 'first-receivers' of the cocaine as it is smuggled into South Africa by international drug cartels. 'It was found that three of the firearms recovered were stolen during a business robbery in Boksburg in 2019. During the same robbery, 69 other firearms were also taken. 'The other four firearms are not registered on the firearm system of South Africa.' The court heard that Cupido rented unit 869 while Carlese rented unit 868, which are located next to each other. The court further heard that video footage was obtained of the storage unit from 22 April to 10 June, which showed Cupido exiting the lift on the ground floor and walking towards a white Polo on 9 May. Van Renen says: 'The final photograph depicts certain items found by the police inside storage unit 868 as it was laid out on the ground in front of the unit. 'The box is open and a white object is partially visible inside. To the left, next to the brown cardboard box, are two stacks of compressed cocaine bricks. 'The partially visible, white-coloured item inside the brown box has been identified as cocaine bricks that were found inside the brown cardboard box. 'I submit that the shape and dimensions of the box carried by [Cupido] when compared with the box found in [Carelse's unit] containing cocaine, are a match, according to my observations.' The court heard that when Cupido was arrested he was in possession of two iPhones and an Apple Watch which he refused to hand over, however a cyber warrant to gain access to data is underway. Cupido had cited the overcrowding in Pollsmoor as among the reasons he should be released on bail as these conditions posed a risk to his health. He has dismissed claims linking him to the drugs, saying he is a family man, soccer coach and businessman who's being framed in a R18 million cocaine bust case. The court previously heard that Cupido was pressured by an officer and former employee of alleged 28s gang boss Ralph Stanfield and his wife Nicole Johnson into admitting that the drugs were theirs in exchange for his freedom. The father of two who earns approximately R78 000-a-month, previously worked at British American Tobacco Group, Woolworths and Phillip Morris Group where he was employed as a commercial planning and development manager and flew across the world in this job. He also owns RADC Transport, a fleet company with 17 vehicles that earns R160 000 per month. He also owns properties in Rondebosch, Claremont and Green Point valued at over R20 million. The case was postponed to 1 August for arguments. Cape Times
IOL News
21-07-2025
- IOL News
Standard Bank manager linked to international drug cartel
BUSTED: Cupido is seen exiting the lift with brown boxes Image: Supplied THE 115 bricks of cocaine worth an estimated street value of R18 million allegedly found in possession of a suspended Standard Bank manager were linked to multiple international cartels. This emerged when Lieutenant-Colonel Christiaan van Renen, the investigating officer, testified in the ongoing bail application by Raed Cupido. The 40-year-old was arrested on 10 June over the 115 bricks of cocaine worth an estimated street value of R18m, an AK 103 Rifle, Uzi Pro Rifle, five semi-automatic firearms and 130 rounds of ammunition inside a storage unit in Roeland Street. His alleged accomplice, Christopher Carlese, 38, was arrested just over a month later, on 13 July. He claims he wasn't at the scene that day but at his home in Kensington. During their recent application in the Cape Town Magistrates Court to apply for bail, the court heard that police officers have video footage, firearm links, and forensic evidence tying both to the drugs. According to court documents, Cupido immediately admitted to cops that the white powder was cocaine when they pulled up to the storage unit. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Video footage obtained of Cupido on 9 May at the storage unit Image: Supplied Van Renen said forensic results confirmed the drugs were linked to multiple international cartels. He said Cupido and his co-accused were 'first receivers' for international drug cartels. 'I submit that the only reasonable inference that can be drawn from these facts is that (Cupido and Carelse) are so-called 'first-receivers' of the cocaine as it is smuggled into South Africa by international drug cartels. 'It was found that three of the firearms recovered were stolen during a business robbery in Boksburg in 2019. During the same robbery, 69 other firearms were also taken. 'The other four firearms are not registered on the firearm system of South Africa.' The court heard that Cupido rented unit 869 while Carlese rented unit 868, which are located next to each other. The suspended senior banker is alleged to be a first receiver of the drugs from international drug cartels. Image: Supplied The court further heard that video footage was obtained of the storage unit from 22 April to 10 June, which showed Cupido exiting the lift on the ground floor and walking towards a white Polo on 9 May. Van Renen says: 'The final photograph depicts certain items found by the police inside storage unit 868 as it was laid out on the ground in front of the unit. 'The box is open and a white object is partially visible inside. To the left, next to the brown cardboard box, are two stacks of compressed cocaine bricks. 'The partially visible, white-coloured item inside the brown box has been identified as cocaine bricks that were found inside the brown cardboard box. 'I submit that the shape and dimensions of the box carried by [Cupido] when compared with the box found in [Carelse's unit] containing cocaine, are a match, according to my observations.' The court heard that when Cupido was arrested he was in possession of two iPhones and an Apple Watch which he refused to hand over, however a cyber warrant to gain access to data is underway. Cupido had cited the overcrowding in Pollsmoor as among the reasons he should be released on bail as these conditions posed a risk to his health. He has dismissed claims linking him to the drugs, saying he is a family man, soccer coach and businessman who's being framed in a R18 million cocaine bust case. The court previously heard that Cupido was pressured by an officer and former employee of alleged 28s gang boss Ralph Stanfield and his wife Nicole Johnson into admitting that the drugs were theirs in exchange for his freedom. The father of two who earns approximately R78 000-a-month, previously worked at British American Tobacco Group, Woolworths and Phillip Morris Group where he was employed as a commercial planning and development manager and flew across the world in this job. He also owns RADC Transport, a fleet company with 17 vehicles that earns R160 000 per month. He also owns properties in Rondebosch, Claremont and Green Point valued at over R20 million. The case was postponed to 1 August for arguments. Cape Times
