By Oladele Ogunsola

A 27- year-old Nigerian whose identity has not been disclosed is currently helping the Metro Police Tactical Support Unit at Umbilo, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa for allegedly being in possession of cocaine valued at over R600,000 (about N49 million).

Reportedly apprehended by operatives of the Metro Police Tactical Support Unit, the Metro Police Task Team and the SAPS KwaZulu-Natal Counter Narcotics Unit, the suspect is believed to have entered the country on a student visa and may be linked to a previous drug-related case in 2025.

He was said to have been arrested as the officers were executing a search warrant on Monday just as he stepped out of his vehicle quoting a report by Prime Time News ZA, which also disclosed that the suspect was found with high-purity cocaine concealed in a sock.

Following the discovery, a subsequent search of his apartment allegedly uncovered additional narcotics, bringing the total estimated value to nearly R600,000, the SA currency.

The arrest, the authorities said “forms part of an ongoing investigation into a suspected drug trafficking network with links to Nigerian nationals, believed to be involved in the importation, production, concealment and distribution of illicit substances. Several other suspects have already been arrested in connection with the operation”.

Senior reporter with eNCA, Dasen Thathiah threw light to the arrest with the details he obtained from the suspect’s documents including his (suspect) narration that “he came to South Africa from Nigeria to study. Even after his arrest, in the presence of police officers, money continued to flow into his account”.

The matter, it was disclosed “has been referred to the Asset Forfeiture Unit for further investigation”.