Durban businessman Rory Allan Goldin was on Thursday released on R20,000 bail by the Durban Magistrates Court where he and his co-accused faced charges including dealing in drugs and money laundering.

Goldin, the owner of Rooftop 420 (PTY) LTD appeared in court with Vivek Sewpersad representing another Rooftop 420 outlet, Pregasen Govindasamy who represented Isipingo Highlife (PTY) LTD, Darren Wade Muller who represented Highlife Umhlanga (PTY) LTD.

The state alleged that Goldin, through Muller, had been a participant in a coordinated and deliberate scheme designed to illicitly distribute and sell tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) products under the guise of legally permissible cannabidiol (CBD)products.

The state further said Goldin is said to have recruited his co-accused to open additional outlets under similar operations. According to the charge sheet, the financial entanglement between the accused is said to be evident through their joint bank accounts and the transfers occurring between them.

Goldin has been named as the principal architect of this operation and, according to the state, strategically recruited Vivek, Govindasamy, and Muller to manage separate outlets. Each of the outlets is alleged to operate under the facade of a legitimate business selling CBD-based items. However, the State says in reality, these outlets are distributing THC, a controlled substance.

“Goldin personally manages an outlet under the same scheme. He is also responsible for procuring THC and distributing it to all associated outlets,” said the State.

The first outlet a ‘Gentleman’s Club’ named Rooftop 420 located at Cowey Road (Problem Mkhize Road) presents itself as a venue selling food, health drinks, and various CBD products such as cookies, cakes, and oils. However, the State said THC products are sold in this outlet under the pretence of being CBD items, with transactions disguised using special codes displayed on blackboards within the premises.

The State further alleges that in July 2021 near Problem Mkhize Road, Goldin dealt with THC to the value of R5,000 and in February 2022 he was also dealing with THC to the value of R45,000.

When all the accused appeared in court, State prosecutor Zukisa Dyasi said they were not opposing bail but she requested that one condition be added to their bail.

“If any of the accused leave the province they must alert the investigating officer,” she said.

Candidate attorney Shreya Naidoo for Goldin said her client has been strategically positioned as a precedent for others in the cannabis industry, yet ironically, theirs are the only stores that have been raided.

“This is even though there are three to four cannabis shops on nearly every corner in Umhlanga and throughout Durban,” she said.

Naidoo said while personal cultivation and private use have been decriminalised, commercial distribution exists in a grey area.

“This ambiguity has created confusion, making it evident that individuals must possess in-depth knowledge of the legal and operational aspects of cannabis cultivation to comply with the law. However, this knowledge is not equally accessible to all, resulting in a system where some businesses are unfairly targeted while others continue operations without interference,” she added.

The other accused were granted R5,000 bail and they all must report to the organised crime office at Victoria Embankment on Mondays at 6am and again at 6pm. The matter was postponed to June 25.