Two Nigerian men caught with drugs worth over N111m in South Africa

Two undocumented Nigerian nationals have been remanded in custody in South Africa for drug related charges.

The suspects, Ikemukwu Benjermin Ezirim, 39. and Christian Valentine Uchenna, 37, appeared in the Volkrust Magistrate’s Court in Mpumalanga on Friday, November 29, 2024. 

Captain Dineo Sekgotodi, spokesperson of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, also known as the Hawks, said the men were arrested on Thursday in Volkrust during multidisciplinary disruptive operations conducted by the Secunda based Serious Organised Crime Investigation, Serious Corruption Investigation, Serious Commercial Crime Investigation, Standerton K9 Unit amongst 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,” 

Sekgotodi said police found drugs to the value of R1.2 million, money to the amount of R2000, five cellphones with an estimated value of R15000 3, a silver weighing scale, and a Silver Mercedes-Benz C180 with an estimated value of R400,000.

The men appeared in court on Friday and where they were remanded in custody.

Their case was postponed to December 9, 2024, for bail application. 

Meanwhile, the provincial head of Hawks, Nicholas Jacobus Gerber, appreciated community members who provided information which led to the arrest of the suspects and seizure of the drugs.