Tavern raid nets drug haul

TWO months after popular tavern owner Tees Gopal was released on R40 000 bail, police claim they found drugs and stolen goods worth R380 000 during a raid at his Phoenix tavern.

But Gopal, who found himself in trouble last month when a raid led to the alleged discovery of cocaine worth R1 million at his plush La Lucia home, is nowhere to be found, a source close to the investigation said. On Monday, a Nigerian national, 31, appeared in the Verulam Magistrate’s Court after police said they seized 50 bags of cocaine, 257 pieces of rock cocaine, 14 bags of ecstasy powder and nine ecstasy tablets with a street value of R180 000 at the popular watering hole during Friday night’s raid.

Police said they also recovered stolen goods – smartphones and men’s watches – to the value of R200 000. The source said the raid had been conducted after police received a tip off. The Nigerian man was released on R5 000 bail.

Durban attorney Rajen Nathalal told POST Gopal, 47, was aware of the arrest. He said his client was not in hiding, but declined further comment.

Last month the Hawks obtained a search warrant and forcibly gained access to Gopal’s home. He was granted bail and is back in court in June. At the time police colonel Gavin Jacob said the probe had been launched following a public outcry.

People had complained of alleged drug dealing and prostitution at the tavern, he said.

In June last year, Gopal’s son, 28, and four others were arrested after drugs, including 400 slopes (lines) of rock cocaine, 50 ecstasy tablets, 50g of cocaine stone, 50 slopes of cocaine powder and 153 rock smoking pipes, were allegedly found. However, the case against the five has been provisionally withdrawn.

Tees Gopal told POST at the time a “jealous community” had led to his being targeted. “People think that because we make so much money, drive good cars and have many houses, we deal in drugs,” he had said.