Man sentenced to 10 years and 6 months imprison for importing cannabis into the TRNC

A Nigerian has been sentenced to 10 years and 6 months imprison after he was found guilty of drug trafficking into the TRNC.

The verdict was announced by a court in Lefkosa on Monday.

The accused identified only as U.A.O along with a second suspect were arrested on August, 2, 2021 at Ercan Airport for importing 3-kilogram cannabis in a package that came into the TRNC by cargo.

Police said the suspect before receiving the package, had negotiated and agreed on the internet how he would deliver it in Famagusta. The second suspect who came to the scene in Famagusta and got out of the vehicle to buy what is believed to be a cannabis type drug, was arrested.

The police said that during the control carried out on the suspect-2 and in the cardboard bag he was holding, a 2 gram cannabis type narcotic substance wrapped in foil was found and taken as an indication.

Delivering judgement; the court judge said; the amount of drugs imported by the defendant was 3 kilos and 5 grams, and stated that the figure is quite high and is suitable for poisoning hundreds of people.

“The saving purpose of the drug, which is the subject of the case, is primarily to be imported into the country. According to the facts, the accused smuggled these drugs into the country by cargo for another defendant, with whom he had previously agreed, and set out to take them from their place and give them to the other person. As it is known, our country is in a serious and long-term war with drugs and their dealers. The basis of this struggle is to keep the people of our country away from drugs and to prevent drug sales from becoming a source of income. The harms of drug consumption on the way of healthy thinking and being healthy individuals are obvious. In addition, as in this issue, the smuggling of drugs into our country and making money from it also harms the public order and registered economic structure of our country. Any money earned without knowing the source is a stepping stone for other crimes. Likewise, the intensive circulation of money, whose source is unknown and which is the proceeds of crime, in our country is of a type that can damage our country's reputation in the international arena." said.

The judge announced that they sentenced the accused to 10 years and 6 months in prison for the crimes.