A South African court on Tuesday sentenced Nigerian national Victor Udoh and his South African accomplice Vuyisekha Mzwakhe to a combined 37 years in prison for drug trafficking offences.

Victor Udoh, 33, received 22 years—20 years for drug trafficking and two years for immigration violations.

Vuyisekha Mzwakhe was sentenced to 15 years for acting as a willing drug courier.

According to Nova News, the pair coordinated their illegal operations through social media platforms. Mzwakhe reportedly contacted Udoh via messaging apps and agreed to transport drugs across major cities, including Johannesburg, Durban, and Plettenberg Bay, while Udoh covered her travel and accommodation expenses.

On October 15, 2021, the duo checked into a guesthouse in George, where a courier delivered a parcel they later collected. While traveling by taxi to Oudtshoorn, police intercepted the vehicle at a roadblock and discovered 743 grams of methamphetamine (locally known as ‘tik’), valued at R260,050, in Mzwakhe’s possession.

During the trial, prosecutors described Udoh as the mastermind and Mzwakhe as a willing participant. Both pleaded not guilty, but the court ruled that the evidence was compelling and lawful.

It was also revealed that Udoh had been living illegally in South Africa for over five years following the rejection of his asylum request. Both defendants had spent significant time in custody during the trial—Udoh for five years and Mzwakhe for one year after jumping bail.

South Africa’s National Prosecuting Authority praised the verdict, noting that drug-related crimes continue to contribute to violence in local communities.