Cyprus: Cameroonian student sentenced to 8 years imprisonment for importing drugs
A Cameroonian student, Samuel Nkongho Tanyi, has been sentenced to 8 years imprisonment for importing 9.5 kilos of drugs to Cyprus from Cameroon. The verdict was passed on April 11th 2023.
The high court Judge Murat Soytaç together with two other judges noted that the accused came into the country as a student and imported 9.5 kilograms of cannabis-type drugs through the Ercan Airport because he did not have enough money to cover his education. He also stated that this portrays weaknesses in the student admission policy of foreigners by the state.
“It raises serious questions about the issue, and also points to serious weaknesses in the student admission policy of the State,” the North Cyprus News Agency reported.
He highlighted that importing drugs into North Cyprus, which is claimed to be the “country of universities”, through Ercan Airport also raises serious questions as to how well students can be protected.
“The fact that such a large amount of drugs can be brought into the country from Ercan Airport in a suitcase without taking any additional measures shows us a picture as grave as the crime committed.”
The High Court Judge has criticized the management of foreign students and says
urgent measures are needed to address the problem of African students who arrive in North Cyprus and become either the perpetrators or victims of crimes.
The online news for North Cyprus had reported in September last year that most African students, mainly from Nigeria, are lured to North Cyprus by agencies who promise them the opportunity to work while they study. There have been incidences where some have been kidnapped and forced to work as sex workers.
While Others have been unable to pay for their tuition because they cannot find employment to help pay for their studies and thus they resort to selling drugs.
