Durban - A Durban drug lord who has been in custody for almost seven years, was sentenced to 70 years in jail. The police hope the hefty sentence will act as a deterrent.
John Jekwu Chigbu, 41, a Nigerian, also known as JJ, was found guilty in the Durban Magistrate’s Court last week of two counts of racketeering (25 years), one count of money laundering (20 years) and 15 counts of dealing in cocaine and ecstasy (25 years). The sentences will run concurrently.
Chigbu’s co-accused, Sunny Augustine Osazuwa, 37, also Nigerian, was found guilty of two counts of dealing in cocaine and was sentenced to three years in prison, or a R10 000 fine.
“Chigbu, who was arrested with his South African-born wife, Sithembile Sbongile Chigbu, 29, and two others, has been in custody for the past six-and-a-half-years.
Osazuwa spent nearly five years in custody before being granted bail in September 2013. Chigbu’s bail attempts were rebuffed,” said national police spokesman, Brigadier Vish Naidoo.
Chigbu’s wife, who was released on bail, failed to appear in court for the trial and is on the run. There is a warrant out for her arrest.
Naidoo said that this arrest and conviction was the outcome of sterling work done by the National Drug Task Team of Lieutenant General Vinesh Moonoo and investigating officer Luke Tancrel.
Chigbu’s criminal activities first attracted attention in 2007 when the police received complaints that an individual known as “JJ” was running a thriving drug business in the city. The team quickly went to work and, after arresting runners, or couriers, they managed to nab the main man and three other runners in December 2008.
At the time, investigators established that to launder money, the accused used Onzill Panel, a panelbeating business in the Point area, as a front.
Naidoo said that the sentencing should be a warning to other drug dealers. “We will leave no stone unturned when it comes to drug dealers and the fact that we are making headway in terms of prosecution is proof of this.”
National Commissioner of Police, General Riah Phiyega, said that this conviction was a classic example of what could happen when detectives paid attention to detail.
“The untold misery caused by drugs in our communities all over the country, need not be repeated here.
“We truly believe that this conviction will serve as a warning to other dealers and runners elsewhere, that if and when we catch up with them, they will feel the full might of the law.”
Sunday Tribune