Konte Ewete with agency report
A South African magistrate court in Vereeniging has remanded two Nigerian men in custody for allegedly dealing in narcotics.
The men, according to agency reports, are Amandi Henry Ogbuonye, 39, and Amobi Christian Eze, 30.
Law enforcement agents, acting on a tip-off, had reportedly swooped on a residential dwelling in the Vereeniging area and arrested the duo for alleged drug dealings.
Captain Ndivhuwo Mulamu, the Gauteng spokesperson for the Hawks – the South African Police Services’ Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) said a search-and-seize warrant was issued for the police operation.
“On Friday 11 March 2022, the investigation team kept surveillance at a positively identified premises and pounced on the accused allegedly packaging drugs in small plastic packets for distribution,” Mulamu said.
Mulamu also revealed how the accused fled the scene on foot, abandoning some of the suspected drugs on the premises. They were reportedly caught hiding in a neighbour’s ceiling.
“A chase ensued, and authorities found both Ogbuonye and Eze hiding at their neighbour’s ceiling, in possession of more drugs. They were immediately apprehended and charged with illegal dealing in drugs and possession of drugs,” said Mulamu.
“Amongst other seized items, the investigation team confiscated a silver Chevrolet, electronic gadgets and narcotics worth approximately R700 000 (about ₦19.2 million).”
Ogbuonye and Eze were remanded in custody when they appeared before the Vereeniging Magistrate’s Court on Monday, pending further investigations.
Their case was adjourned to March 23.