Caught in Lagos, these Bolivian nationals to spend 36 years in a NIGERIAN prison (photos)

- They are from Bolivia, but in Nigeria, they engaged in the production of hard drugs in partnership with two Igbo people

- While the three Bolivians have been jailed by a court in Lagos, the other Nigerians among them are still facing trial

Three Bolivian nationals: Reuben Ticono Jorge, Yhugo Chavaez Moreno and Yerko Artunduago Dorado are to spend the next 12 years in prison after they were caught in Lagos producing methamphetamine, a drug similar to cocaine.

They were sentenced by Justice Oluremi Oguntoyinbo of the Federal High Court in Lagos after pleading guilty to a two-count charge on the crime brought against them by the National Drugs Laws Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

The three Bolivians were first arraigned with two other Nigerians, Basil Ikechukwu Uzoka and Uba Ubachukwu Collins.

The NDLEA's prosecutor, Mr Abu Ibrahim, had reviewed the facts of charge and tendered several evidences, including the certificate of test analysis, drug analysis reports, their statements which were written in English and Portuguese and other others.

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Their lawyer, Chief Benson Ndakara, had also pleaded with the court for a light sentence arguing that they had spent sometime in detention and citing some legal authorities, which the court told him to supply before proceeding in pronouncing the jail term on them.

The term prescribed by the NDLEA Act for one of the charges is life imprisonment while the second charge carries 25 years jail term, but the judge sentenced the three Bolivians each to six years on each of the two counts.

While ordering that the seized drug be destroyed by the officials of the NDLEA in the presence of the counsel to the accused, the judge said the jail term would run concurrently.

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Basil Ikechukwu, one of the Nigerians arraigned, is facing a three-count for allowing his said property to be used for storing the drug, aiding and financing the convicted Bolivians in the production of the drug.

He pleaded not guilty to the charge.

On his own part, Uba Ubachukwu Collins was accused of allowing his property to be used for the production of the drug, and also in the distribution of a controlled drug called Acetone.

Basil ikechukwu's trial has been adjourned till December 12, 2016.