A Nigerian drug dealer, who according to the Hawks tried to buy the docket for R60 000, after he was arrested for possession of R49 000 worth of ‘Cat’, was fined R10 000 or 12 months imprisonment in the Richards Bay District Court earlier this month.
Chukwama Omugo (41) pleaded guilty on two charges of possession of dangerous and dependence producing substances, namely Methacathinone, valued at R49 000 and R10 000 respectively.
He was arrested at his house near Birdswood Secondary School in October last year, while on bail for possession of ‘Cat’ worth R10 000.
Members of Directorate of Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) and the Empangeni Dog Unit, led by narcotics expert W/O Ryno Louw, swooped on his house in Bulbul Bend and boxed him on his way out of the driveway.
A search of his car revealed the drugs and R21 000 in cash.
The State opposed the bail application brought by his Durban-based attorney, Mr Abdul Sheikie and following the testimony of W/O Louw, District Court Magistrate Chirva refused bail.
The court said it was not in the interest of justice to release Omugo pending trial because he had appeared on a similar charge before and does not have strong family ties in the community.
The matter was adjourned for further investigation, which revealed the first docket, investigated by the Richards Bay Detective Branch.
The DPCI took over the investigation of which the forensic analysis report was missing and requested a duplicate.
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Though Omugo during his bail application said he intended pleading not guilty to both charges, he changed his mind and offered a guilty plea when he appeared on 11 January.
Magistrate S de Lange took both counts as one in respect of sentence.
Cat is a poisonous concoction of substances such as ephedrine, acetone, paint solvents and sulfuric acid and is sold for R250 to R300 per gram on the streets.
Police informants reportedly said Omugo intended to sell his merchandise to school children.
He is married to an Mzingazi resident who told police they stay separately.
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