A Nigerian man, Patrick Izuchukwu Udeh (57), suspected of dealing drugs, was arrested yesterday, February 18, at a property in Mataffin.

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Police received information about an individual who reportedly hid drugs at the location.

A multidisciplinary team comprising SAPS Provincial Organised Crime Investigation, White River K9, and Pienaar Tactical Response Team joined forces to raid the property.

Early in the morning, the team found the suspect in the house, and a search warrant was executed.

“During the search of the premises, cocaine with an estimated street value of R250 000 was recovered and seized for further forensic investigation,” said police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane.

In an interview with police, the suspect allegedly claimed that the drugs belonged to a friend who left them behind for safekeeping in late January.

He reportedly added that his friend had fled to Johannesburg to hide from police.

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Udeh appeared in the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court, February 19, and the matter was postponed to February 25 for a formal bail application.