Two students to de detained for 75 days in north Cyprus until trial for drug offences

Two people who were arrested in connection with drug crime in Lefkosia were sent to prison for a period of 75 days until trial.

The suspects O.K.O. and M.C.A., who are both Nigerians were reportedly caught with 2 kilos of drugs during a police operation at around 6:00pm on December, 30, 2023, on Ahmet Sami Topcan Street in Lefkosia.

They were initially sent to prison 3 times for 15 days while investigation into the incident was ongoing and were brought back to court again on Monday.

Speaking court on Monday, police stated that during the operation, O.K.O., was caught and arrested using reasonable force while he was trying to escape.

Police stated that O.K.O., was found in possession of 29 packs of jute, weighing approximately 30 grams, ready for sale, and 5,000 TL cash obtained from drug sales which were seized as evidence. The suspect, M.C.A., who was identified at the scene of the incident and believed to be connected to the matter, was also arrested. 

Police said a search was subsequently carried out in the apartment where O.K.O., was staying in Gönyeli during which 2 kilograms of jute-type drug and three sensitive scales believed to have drug residue were found.

Police said, during the investigation on the matter, it was determined that they bought the drugs from a wanted person in Gönyeli on December 29, 2023 and sold 10 grams of them to many people in Lefkcosia.

Police said they determined that the 5,000 TL money O.K.O., had on him at the time he was caught was obtained from drug sales. He however did not accept the charges brought against them for the crimes of buying and keeping 1 kilo 798 grams of drugs and selling 10 grams of jute.

Police said that the suspects first came to the country on March 16, 2023, registered at an education center and received a student permit.

Police stated that the suspects had accumulated a significant amount of drugs for sale in the country within a period of 9 months, and that it was highly likely that they would be sentenced to long periods of imprisonment if they were found guilty and requested that they be held in detention until trial so that they would not escape trial.

The judge who evaluated the case in court, ordered the suspects to be sent to prison for a period not exceeding 75 days.