Gerald Perumal, a father of two, will return to the Chatsworth Magistrate’s Court next week for a formal bail application.
Image: SUPPLIED
A 33-YEAR-OLD man, arrested with drugs and alleged to be running a drug lab from his Umhlatuzana home, was remanded into police custody at Westville Prison after his first court appearance yesterday.
Gerald Perumal, a father of two, will return to the Chatsworth Magistrate’s Court next week for a formal bail application.
Police arrested him during a sting operation yesterday involving the Durban Metro Police Drug Unit and the Hawks.
During the 6am raid, police found drugs, including cocaine and mandrax, chemicals, packaging materials, manufacturing equipment, cash, cellphones, guns and ammunition at his home.
He was also found with bottles of Stilpane and charged with contravening the Medicines Control Act 101/1965.
Lighting allegedly belonging to the eThekwini Municipality was also seized.
The value of the seized items amounted to about R1 million.
During the raid yesterday, Warrant Officer Sibu Ncane, a Hawks spokesperson, told the POST that their investigations into Perumal started in 2023.
A police source said when officers raided Perumal's home, he was allegedly trying to flush evidence (drugs) down the toilet.
It is further alleged Perumal is linked to a drug cartel in Bayview and involved in supplying drugs to Chatsworth and surrounding areas.