Continued efforts to eradicate drug trafficking along the main entrance and exit routes around the Western Cape yielded positive results when Ogugua Ernest Owoh (49) was sentenced to 13 years-imprisonment in the George Regional court on Friday, 10 December 2021 following his conviction on a charge of dealing in illicit Drugs as well as Contravention of the Medicine Control Act 101/1965.

Vigilant members attached to the Western Cape Provincial Detective’s Organized Crime Investigations (OCI) Narcotics section arrested the accused who was a passenger on a long distance passenger bus near George during March 2016 after information was followed up from a source. During the search that ensued, members found 4.8 kg of Tik and 974 grams of Benzocaine in his possession. The find subsequently led to his arrest and eventually his conviction later.

His conviction and sentence was welcomed by the Western Cape police management. The provincial management also praised the members for their vigilance and vigorous execution of their duties in ensuring a conviction in this matter.

Western Cape Provincial Commissioner, Lt Gen Thembisile Patekile expressed his hope that this stern sentence meted against the accused will send a strong message to “want to-be” drug traffickers who use various means to transport drugs into this province. “It is a clear indication that the police are always a step ahead of these perpetrators and they will face the full might of the law when arrested, he concluded.

Source: South African Police Service