Nigerian man and his South African girlfriend arrested after selling N3.3m drugs to undercover police officers

Police have arrested a 48-year-old Nigerian man and his 33-year-old South African girlfriend on charges of unlawful possession of drugs and dealing in drugs. 

The duo was nabbed on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, by South Africa’s Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, also known as the Hawks, in collaboration with the North West provincial drug task team and Lichtenburg K9 unit.

Lieutenant Colonel Tinyiko Mathebula, provincial spokesperson for the Hawks, said the duo was arrested in Lichtenburg following information received about a Nigerian man who was alleged to be selling drugs in the area.

“An undercover operation was conducted, which led to the arrest of the pair soon after selling drugs valued at R40,000. [Around] 649 mandrax tablets, 40 packets of crystal meth and transparent plastic containing CAT drugs were seized,” said Mathebula.

“A search was conducted at the Nigerian man’s house where crystal meth with an estimated street value of R15,000 and CAT drugs valued at R6,000 were confiscated.”

Mathebula said when police officers were processing the suspects – the Nigerian man and 33-year-old South African woman, and a 28-year-old South African woman, alleged to be the Nigerian suspect’s girlfriend, attempted to bribe the police in a bid to secure her boyfriend’s release.

“She was subsequently arrested and charged with corruption,” said Mathebula.

The arrested trio will appear before the Lichtenburg Magistrate’s Court on Friday.