7 Nigerian drug dealers sentenced to a combined 105 years imprisonment in South Africa

Press release by the South African Police Service issued today, Monday December 12th: 

The Gauteng Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation Major General Prince Mokotedi has welcomed the judgement handed down by the Benoni Magistrates Court against the seven suspects for drug dealing.

The seven (7) Nigerian nationals were sentenced and convicted to 105years imprisonment for dealing in drugs on Thursday, December 8th, after they were found guilty on 12 October 2016.

The Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime members acted on a tip-off and arrested the convicts, Valentine Chigbo Okoye (36), Patrick Chime Uche (38), Chucks Ugo Thomas (37), Emeka Azodo (40), Chinaemelum Uba (24), and Chucku Imeka Ekwemozok (34) in October 2014 after they were found packaging heroine worth an estimated value of R214 000, into small wrappings for distribution in Crystalpark Benoni.

The attempted on several occasion to apply for bail however they were unable as they were considered flight risks. The suspects were each sentenced to an effective fifteen (15) years each without an option of any fine. The combined sentenced total (105) years all together.
Major General Mokotedi, welcomed the sentence passed on the seven suspects and praised the members for a job well done.

"This is indeed a welcomed precedent set by our courts and this will help our efforts to combat drug trafficking a great deal.  We are proud of our team’s efforts in ensuring a successful prosecution in this matter. Such convictions will motivate our members to work even harder. From now on, drug dealers will feel the full might of the law, we are more determined to fight this scourge," said Mokotedi.