Bengaluru: In a major verdict, a special court handling NDPS cases in Bengaluru on Monday sentenced a 45-year-old Nigerian man, Harry Okonkwo, to 15 years of rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of ₹1.7 lakh for drug trafficking.
Originally from Aqnam, Nigeria, Okonkwo was residing in Seegehalli, KR Pura, on a business visa issued in 2021, which he had overstayed. The court, presided over by Special Judge Vijay Devaraj Urs, ordered that in the event of default in paying the fine, Okonkwo will serve an additional year in simple imprisonment.
The case stems from an incident on October 10, 2022, when Central Crime Branch (CCB) officials arrested Okonkwo and seized 200 grams of MDMA from his residence. He has been in judicial custody ever since.
Public Prosecutor KV Ashwathhanarayana said the prosecution presented nine witnesses and submitted 24 pieces of evidence, including digital materials, to support the case. The thorough police investigation played a pivotal role in securing the conviction.
The judgment underscores the zero-tolerance approach towards drug-related crimes in the city and the importance of international cooperation and visa monitoring in addressing cross-border drug networks.
Read Also: