South Africa: Nigerian drug syndicate in court

Nigerian nationals Ikechukwu Julius Darlington Abatube, Theopilus Okechuku Odimegwu and Valentine Obiefona Awayiaka appeared in  Vryburg Magistrate court on Monday and would stay in custody until their bail application on March 23, the trio are part of a seven man gang arrested for alleged drug dealing in North West.



Police seized  cartoons of  crystal meth, cocaine, Mandrax and ecstasy worth hundreds of thousands during raids in the three towns of Mahikeng, Vryburg and Lichtenburg last week.

 A Toyota Yaris, Fiat Palio and Volkswagen Polo Vivo worth R335 000 were seized during the operation. They allegedly got the drugs from Hillbrow, Johannesburg and distributed them to dealers.

 Ugochukwu Stephen, Chibuike Vincent Mbagu, and Nkem Eric Nwaokearu appeared in the Mmabatho Magistrate's Court on Friday. They would remain in custody until their bail applications on March 24.

 The seventh man, Emeziem Berthrand Ogugiuba, appeared in Lichtenburg Magistrate's Court on Friday. He was expected to apply for bail on March 18.

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