Four years each for US citizens who smuggled cocaine

Sep 14, 2010 News

Another American has been sentenced to jail after he pleaded guilty to trafficking in narcotics.
Onrii Oluseun Ogunkile, who was nabbed last week at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, was yesterday sentenced to four years’ imprisonment and fined $10,000 when he appeared before Magistrate Priya Beharry.
Ogunkile pleaded guilty to charges that stated that between September 11 and September 13, he had in his possession 826 grams of cocaine for the main purpose of trafficking.
Special Prosecutor from the Customs Anti Narcotics Unit (CANU), Oswald Messiah, stated that Ogunkile entered Guyana on September 5 and stayed at a city hotel.
The prosecutor further stated that on the day in question, Ogunkile’s suitcases were scanned and cocaine pellets were noticed in a false compartment.
He was told of the offence and was promptly arrested by the police ranks. Fearing for his life, Messiah told the court, Ogunkile confided in the police that he had swallowed more than 40 pellets.
The man was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital where an x-ray confirmed that he had indeed swallowed the pellets. The court was told that Ogunkile excreted over 56 cocaine pellets.
Messiah further explained that during the investigations, the defendant only gave investigators the initials and not full names for the ring leaders, which made it difficult to track down.
Messiah also noted that Ogunkile is no stranger to Guyana since he was here in April.
When given a chance, Ogunkile stated that he has a wife and a one-year-old child.
He said that he came to Guyana because he thought that he would have passed the drug without being caught.
He admitted that since he was a college graduate he should have known better, adding that his father was a police officer in the US.
“I was expected to start working when I return to the US but because of the stupid mistake that I have made, I will be punished,” he said. He said that his visit here in April was not associated with the drug trade. He was here on vacation.
He asked the Magistrate for leniency and said that he regretted committing the offence.
And a 20-year-old mother of one was also sentenced to four years’ imprisonment along with $10,000 fine.
Kendrea Smith pleaded guilty to being in possession 5.8 kilos of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.
The court was told that the young woman was an outgoing passenger when she was stopped and searched. The drug was found concealed in a false bottom in the suitcase.
The court heard that Smith, who is a student in the US, entered Guyana on August 14, last, with her 19-month-old daughter.
The prosecutor explained that she stayed at her mother’s residence at 1593 Coddette Lane, South Ruimveldt.
When given a chance Smith asked the Magistrate for leniency since she was a young mother.

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Four years each for US citizens who smuggled cocaine

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