Man, 50, arrested trying to smuggle 83,000 cigarettes worth £28,000 on a flight from Nigeria to Newcastle
- Samuel Onyemenam, 50, stuffed two suitcases with 83,600 contraband cigarettes
- He was arrested and has since pleaded guilty to fraudulent evasion of duty.
An airline passenger was caught in the act trying to smuggle more than 83,000 cigarettes into Newcastle International Airport.
Samuel Onyemenam, 50, was detained while carrying luggage as he entered the country on a flight from Nigeria via Germany last November.
Border Force officers X-rayed three of the suitcases and found that two of them were filled with 83,600 cigarettes, which would have been worth £28,000.
Onyemenam, of Abbey Wood, London, was arrested and found guilty of fraudulent evasion of duty when he appeared in the dock this week.
Samuel Onyemenam, 50, (pictured) was detained by the Border Force while carrying luggage as he entered the country on a flight from Nigeria via Germany. Officers X-rayed three of the suitcases and found that two of them were filled with 83,600 cigarettes, which would have been worth £28,000.
Onyemenam arrived at Newcastle International Airport (pictured) on a flight from Nigeria via Germany on November 26 last year. He claimed to have been transporting the cigarettes for his cousin and had made no financial gain from the scheme.
Onyemenam arrived at Newcastle International Airport on a flight from Nigeria via Germany on November 26 last year, Newcastle Magistrates Court heard.
“He had three suitcases with him,” said Rob Lawson, a prosecutor. ‘The Border Force officers informed him that they were going to X-ray his suitcases and found two that contained a large quantity of cigarettes, 83,600. The evaded tax was £28,530.17.
Onyemenam claimed that he had been transporting the cigarettes for his cousin and had not derived any financial benefit from the scheme.
Paul Kennedy, defending, said Onyemenam, who has no criminal record, stood by his claim that he was transporting his cousin and made no financial gain.
Kennedy continued: “It was a unique and opportunistic offense.”
However, the claims were not upheld by District Judge Jayne Bryan, who told Onyemenam: “I don’t take what he says at face value.”
Onyemenam, of Abbey Wood, London, was arrested and found guilty of fraudulent evasion of duty when he appeared in the dock this week.
The judge continued: ‘You are going to have to give evidence of what you are claiming. It is what we call an issuance trial and will decide on what basis you will be sentenced.
You will have an unconditional bond to return to this court on that date and time. If you do not attend, a warrant may be issued for your arrest.
Onyemenam is due back in court on May 3.
MailOnline has approached the airport and HM Revenue & Customs for comment.
