Drug Dealer Original Japan’ to 20 Years for Drug Trafficking, Co-Defendants Receive 5 Years

George Obi, also known as “Original Japan,” a well-known drug trafficker, has been found guilty of illegal drug distribution and maintenance by Criminal Court “C” at the Temple of Justice.The court heard that Obi and his co-defendants were arrested at his house in Sayon Town, Bushrod Island, on February 21, 2024.

After final opinions were made on Tuesday, Judge A. Blamo Dixon also found co-defendants Peter Mamah, Ndubuisi Okonkwo, and Bridgestone Harris guilty of illegal drug sales and distribution. All four, including Obi, were sentenced of criminal conspiracy.

The judge ordered that the Probation Services Department look into whether these four men are first-time offenders or have a criminal history. The report is due on February 24, 2025, and after that, the court will hold a sentencing hearing.

But, Judge Dixon cleared four other defendants Sunday Udeh, Ivan Jamo, Ikwe David, and Edwin Ozioko of all charges related to drug sales, distribution, and conspiracy. The judge explained that there was no direct evidence to link them to the crimes.

The judge pointed out that George Obi, “Original Japan,” was the owner of the compound where drugs were found, and the search warrant was specifically for his property. He emphasized that drugs were found in Obi’s apartment, and the evidence showed that Obi was involved in trafficking and distributing drugs from his compound.

The judge also said the charges against co-defendants Mamah, Okonkwo, and Harris were correct because they were found packaging drugs and smoking marijuana together.

In the end, the judge ruled that the investigators from the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) were right to charge Obi and his three co-defendants, but they were wrong to charge the four men who were acquitted.