Airline passenger smuggled 83,000 cigarettes into UK avoiding £28k duty tax bill

19 March 2023 , 23:28

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Samuel Onyemenam leaves Newcastle Magistrates Court (Image: Newcastle Chronicle)

A plane passenger was caught at the airport trying to smuggle more than 83,000 cigarettes into Britain.

Samuel Onyemenam, 50, was stopped while carrying luggage as he entered Newcastle International Airport on flight from Nigeria via Germany.

Officers from Border Force X-rayed three of his suitcases and found that two of them were filled with cigarettes.

A court heard that a total 83,600 cigarettes were found, which would have carried duty worth £28,000.

Onyemenam, of Abbey Wood, London, was arrested and pleaded guilty to fraudulently evading duty when he appeared in the dock this week, reports the Chronicle Live.

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He claimed that he'd been transporting the cigarettes for his cousin and had made no financial gain from the scheme.

However, his claims were not accepted by District Judge Jayne Bryan who told him "I don't accept what you're saying at face value."

Onyemenam's suitcases were X-rayed at the airport (Newcastle Chronicle)

He claimed he was transporting the goods for his cousin (Newcastle Chronicle)

She continued: "You're going to have to give evidence about what you're claiming.

"It's what we call a trial of issue and it will decide on what basis you will be sentenced on.

"I'm going to adjourn your case until May 3 back at this court. You will have unconditional bail to return to this court on that date and time.

"If you don't attend, a warrant could be issued for your arrest."

Newcastle Magistrates' Court was told that Onyemenam arrived at Newcastle International Airport on a flight from Nigeria via Germany on November 26 last year.

Rob Lawson, prosecuting, added: "He had three suitcases with him.

"Border Force officers informed him that they were going to X-ray his suitcases and two were found to contain a large quantity of cigarettes, 83,600. The duty evaded was £28,530.17."

Paul Kennedy, defending, said Onyemenam, who has no past convictions, stood by his claim that he was transporting the cigarettes for his cousin and made no financial gain. Mr Kennedy continued: "It was an opportunistic, one-off offence."

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