A Nigerian suspected of being the mastermind of an international drug-smuggling operation, Edwin Elochukwu Anyaoku, has been extradited by South Africa authorities to the United States to face charges of drug-trafficking.

South Africa’s Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), known as the Hawks, announced this today in a statement, Unclad News reports in South Africa.

According to the report, Anyaoku, 54, was arrested in a joint police investigation by the Hawks’ South African Narcotics Enforcement Bureau (Saneb) and the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in Fourways in July last year.
His arrest resulted in the seizure of 29kg of heroin worth more than R6m (about $416,000).
The DPCI statement obtained by Sahara Reporters read,
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“A suspected mastermind of an international drug-smuggling operation who was arrested last year in Fourways, Johannesburg, was extradited to the United States on Thursday to face charges of drug trafficking.

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“Edwin Elochukwu Anyaoku (54), was arrested in a joint police investigation by the Hawks’ South African Narcotics Enforcement Bureau (SANEB) and Crime Intelligence (Counter Narcotics) and the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) which resulted in the seizure of 29 kilograms of heroin worth more than R6 million.

“Anyaoku was arrested with other two suspects, Lerato Diannah Mohai (42) the alleged courier and Christopher Okonkwo (53) who was the suspected scout. Okonkwo successfully made a representation to the Randburg Regional Court last year and after careful consideration, his matter was withdrawn. However, the case against Mohai is ongoing at the same court. It is for trial on 16 and July 2019.

“The investigation into the group started in 2017. An undercover operation was set where Anyaoku allegedly agreed to supply heroin. Anyaoku brought 29 kilograms of heroin and after the purchase, he was arrested together with Mohai and Okonkwo.”.