AN alleged Nigerian drug dealer attempted to buy the police docket for R60 000 after he was arrested for possession of R49 000 worth of ‘cat’ near Birdswood Secondary School in October.
This was the testimony of W/O Ryno Louw in the bail application of Chukwama Omugo (41) in the Richards Bay District Court on Friday.
Omugo (41) is charged with possession of dangerous and dependence producing substances, namely Methacathinone, better known as ‘cat’.
Members of the Directorate of Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) and the Empangeni Dog Unit, led by investigating officer Louw, swooped on Omugo’s house in Bulbul Bend following a tip-off.
The narcotics and R21 000 in cash were confiscated from his car.
Omugo, represented by Durban lawyer Abdul Sheikje applied for bail in an application heard by Magistrate Chirva.
The state called Louw, who testified that he executed Omugo’s arrest in terms of Section 22 of the Criminal Procedure Act without a warrant, because he believed, based on his information, a warrant would have been authorised if he applied and a delay would have defeated the object of the search.
Mr Chirva said in judgement it was not in the interest of justice to release Omugo, because it is the second time he has appeared on drug-related charges and that he does not have strong family ties in the community.
His bail application was accordingly refused and the matter was adjourned until 11 January for further investigation.
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