Drug dealers to spend six years behind bars
The suspects were sentenced two years following their arrest.
Four men charged with contravention of Section 5 (b) Drug and Drug Trafficking Act 140 of 1992, were each sentenced to six years imprisonment in the Benoni Magistrate’s Court on December 14.
The accused, Chima Giftson Elkanah (35), Christian Obumnaeme Chijioke (35), Evans Mkpa Onyeani (37) and Ugochukwu Kenneth Eleghasim (44) were arrested at a home in Lakefield on December 13, 2021, when members of the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation and West Rand K9 unit swooped onto the property.
According to Hawks spokesperson Warrant Officer Wendy Nkabi, the officers had been investigating allegations of drugs being produced and distributed from the property.
“After acquiring a search warrant, a specialised sting operation was carried out and a fully functional Methcathinone (CAT) laboratory was discovered,” said Nkabi.
“Several chemicals and equipment to manufacture the drug were found and seized.
“Five kg of CAT was found hidden inside the house, while a further 12kg was found in one of the suspects’ vehicle.”
The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) provincial head in Gauteng, Major General Ebrahim Kadwa, welcomed the sentencing.
“I am proud of the sterling work by the Hawks as well as the prosecution team that secured the sentence,” said Kadwa.
“Punishment of this nature will hopefully deter perpetrators of such crimes.”
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