‘Tees’ held in R1m cocaine bust
Police probe launched after public outcry More ‘intensified’ drug raids planned
TAVERN owner Trevor “Tees” Gopal, who last year denied drugs found in his popular Phoenix establishment belonged to him, appeared in court on Monday after police claim they found R1 million worth of cocaine in his plush La Mercy home.
On Friday night, members of the Hawks: Durban Organised Crime Unit, embarked on an operation led by Lieutenant-Colonel Gavin Jacob after months of investigation. Police obtained a search warrant and forcibly gained access into the home, situated in a complex.
Gopal, 47, was arrested at the scene and spent the weekend at the oThongathi (Tongaat) police cells.
On Monday, he appeared in the Verulam Magistrate’s Court. Police said they recovered approximately 2kg of cocaine with an estimated street value of R1m.
Jacob said the investigation was launched following a public outcry. People had complained of drug dealing and prostitution allegedly taking place at the tavern.
Cocaine powder as well as drug paraphernalia (digital scales, blades, and Ziploc bags) were seized.
Gopal was released on R40 000 bail and will appear in court again in June.
Jacob said this was the start of more intensified drug raids in the Phoenix area.
Hawks spokesperson Captain Simphiwe Mhlongo confirmed the raid.
When approached for comment on Tuesday, Gopal said he had nothing to say.
Following a raid at his tavern in June, when his 28-year-old son and four others were arrested, Gopal had told POST there was a “jealous community” which led to him being targeted.
“People think that because we make so much of money, drive good cars and have many houses, we deal in drugs,” he had said.
He said he had started the tavern more than 20 years ago and it was his only business.
Gopal at the time related to POST how a group of policemen in civilian clothing had arrived in an unmarked vehicle and “roughed up” patrons before searching the premises, allegedly without a search warrant.
He claimed the drugs were not found at his Grove End Drive tavern but that a “volume of goods” were later produced at the Phoenix police station.
He also claimed R380 000 in cash had been taken away by police, but that only R138 000 in cash had been accounted for.
“The raid was well-planned to target my takings,” he had said. “I have been accused many times of dealing in drugs but was never found guilty.”
In the June raid, Mhlongo said 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 found. Their street value was R167 000.
Police also seized R138 780 in cash, suspected to be proceeds of drug dealing, said Mhlongo. However, the case against the five has been provisionally withdrawn.