Two undocumented Nigerians have been detained in detention in South Africa on drug-related allegations.
The suspects, Ikemukwu Benjermin Ezirim, 39, and Christian Valentine Uchenna, 37, appeared at the Volkrust Magistrate’s Court in Mpumalanga on Friday, November 29, 2024.
Captain Dineo Sekgotodi, spokesperson for the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, also known as the Hawks, said the men were apprehended on Thursday in Volkrust during multidisciplinary disruptive operations carried out by the Secunda-based Serious Organised Crime Investigation, Serious Corruption Investigation, Serious Commercial Crime Investigation, and Standerton K9 Unit, among others.
“The disruptive operation followed after information was received and operationalised by the team regarding suspects who are dealing in drugs. Upon arrival at the identified address, the suspect attempted to dispose of the evidence by flushing some of the drugs down the toilet,” he said.
“The suspects were apprehended and taken to the vehicle where more drugs were found hidden in the body of the vehicle and tyres. During the search, it was discovered that the two suspects are without valid documents. They were arrested, charged and detained.”
According to Sekgotodi, police discovered R1.2 million worth of cocaine, R2000 in cash, five cellphones for an estimated R15000, a silver weighing scale, and a silver Mercedes-Benz C180 worth an estimated R400,000.
The guys were remanded in jail after their Friday court appearance.
Their bail application was rescheduled on December 9, 2024.
Nicholas Jacobus Gerber, the provincial head of Hawks, expressed gratitude to the community members who gave information that resulted in the offenders’ arrest and the narcotics’ recovery.
