| 2024/07/07 |
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Media Statement
FREE STATE – The Bethlehem Magistrates Court has sent a second drug dealer to prison. On Friday, 5 July 2024, a Nigerian Linus Obumme “China” Uchegbu (47) was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment for possession of drugs and dealing in drugs. This comes shortly after his close ally and countryman, Okwudili Augustine “CJ” Nwado (36), was sentenced to eight years imprisonment for dealing in drugs and corruption. On 6 September 2022, a member of Bethlehem Stock Theft and Endangered Species Unit received information from a concerned resident about a male carrying suspicious black plastic bags. The officer moved swiftly to locate China. A search of the black plastic bag was conducted which led to the discovery of a Nestlé Cremora: Coffee Creamers box. Several sachets of crystal meth were found hidden between the powdered milk bags. He was immediately arrested. Later, case dockets relating to similar arrests or investigations were given to Serious Organised Crime Investigation detectives in Bethlehem either to collect further evidence or resuscitate dead dockets and present these before court.
Free State Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks), Major General Mokgadi Bokaba has praised all officers involved in the arrests and investigation. “More importantly, we thank members of the community who continue to work with the police to eradicate crime,” she said.
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