Gerald Perumal was arrested at his home in 28th Avenue during a raid by the Hawks and metro police.
Image: Graphic: Chumani Mazwi
DURING her bail application this week, mother-of-two Natalie Perumal blamed her tenants for the drugs found on the premises of her Umhlatuzana home.
Natalie, 33, and her husband, Gerald Perumal, 32, appeared in the Chatsworth Magistrate's Court on Monday on charges of dealing in drugs, possession of cocaine and mandrax, dispensing of medication without a permit, possession of suspected stolen property, and defeating the ends of justice.
Gerald was denied bail and Natalie was released on R10,000.
He was arrested at his home in 28th Avenue two weeks ago during a raid by the Hawks and metro police.
The couple co-own Magic Touch Car Wash and Magic Touch Salon in Umhlatuzana.
Natalie was arrested last Thursday after police investigations found that “it became apparent that she was aware and had involvement in whatever had been happening” at her house.
According to the charge sheet, police found cocaine in packets, plastic sealed envelopes and plastic vials, and paraphernalia with cocaine residue on it.
They also found a large quantity of mandrax tablets in eight clear plastic bags.
The couple were charged for dispensing medication without a permit after they were found with 47 bottles of Astrapyn syrup.
They were also found with seven LED and four halogen stadium lights belonging to eThekwini Municipality.
They were also charged for defeating the ends of justice for allegedly attempting to flush the drugs down the toilet when police arrived.
In an affidavit read by their attorney Noven Naidoo, Natalie said she lived at the Umhlatuzana home for eight years with her husband, their two children and her father for eight years.
She said there were two tenants living on the premises, and accused them of being in possession of the drugs and items seized by police.
“My husband and I were sleeping in the main building when police arrived. All of the items were found in the outbuilding. Our tenants live in the outbuilding. We were not in possession of any of the items.”
She said four males who lived on their property were arrested and released.
Natalie said she had ties to her family, home, child’s school, community and salon, and earned about R15,000 per month.
Magistrate D Zondi granted her bail of R10,000.
In his affidavit, Gerald said he was the sole supporter and paid for his 13-year-old child to attend a semi-private school.
He said he was in arrears with payments for his home and two vehicles, a VW Tiguan and Audi.
“I have a car wash called Magic Touch and use the profits to support my entire family. I earn between R13,000 and R15,000 a month.
Gerald said his health was not good, as he was shot in his arm in an attempted carjacking, which required him to have 314 surgeries on his shoulder.
He said he had metal plates in his arm and suffered from severe pain which required medication.
Investigating officer Lieutenant-Colonel Basil Dwarika from SAPS Serious Organised Crime in Port Shepstone said he was opposed to Gerald’s release on bail, and not to Natalie’s release.
“After conducting investigations, it became apparent that applicant 2 (Natalie) was aware and had involvement in whatever had been happening at the premises where she also resides. She was placed under arrest on March 5 and brought before this court.”
He told the court the police search at the house resulted in the recovery of cocaine powder, crack-cocaine, mixing agents, and equipment to manufacture crack-cocaine.
He said crack cocaine smoking pipes, weighing scales, money-counting machine beakers for cooking crack cocaine, packaging to pack the crack cocaine pieces and sealing machines were also found.
“There were also illegal scheduled medication without a medical script together with suspected stolen property from the municipality recovered from the premises. The applicant (Gerald) also tried to dispose of the drugs by flushing drugs down the toilet when the police entered his premises. This was evidenced by cocaine residue found in the toilet bowl.
“The applicant is facing serious charges. Dealing in drugs is a scourge that plagues our society. The amount of drugs found in his possession relate solely to dealing as it is impossible that any individual can possess such quantity for purposes of private consumption.
“The street value of the drugs was in excess of R500,000. This indicates large-scale dealing and potential syndicate activity.”
He said the State had an excellent case against the applicant, and investigations were almost finalised.
He said the analysis reports were still outstanding, and arrangements were made to expedite the finalisation of the reports due to the seriousness of the offence.
“The nature of the items that were seized during the search strongly indicate that the accused was operating a drug distribution and possible manufacturing operation from his home, within which he was found.
“The cumulative effect of the evidence demonstrates a prima facie case of significant strength. The applicant has maintained a lavish lifestyle which I strongly believe will influence his continuation of dealing in drugs in order to support his lifestyle,” Dwarika added.
He said Gerald had no pending cases, but he was previously charged in Montclair in 2018, and in Bayview in 2023, for being in possession of heroin.
“These cases were provisionally withdrawn due to analysis reports outstanding and will be placed back on roll. The applicant has a pattern of commuting drug-related offences. Although these withdrawals do not constitute previous convictions or alter the schedule classification of the present bail application, they remain highly relevant.
“The fact that the earlier matters were withdrawn due to technical or administrative reasons does not negate the relevance of the repeated nature of the charges when considering the possibility of reoffending. I strongly believe that the applicant will continue to deal in drugs if he is released on bail,” he added.
Dwarika said the crack cocaine and cocaine powder, commonly known as "rock", was a serious problem in the Chatsworth and surrounding areas.
He said more serious measures needed to be taken to deter people from producing these drugs.
“The manufacturers and distributors are not often arrested, or if arrested, they are easily released on bail and continue with dealing,” Dwarika said.
The couple are due back in court next month.