A Canadian man is facing jail after being caught smuggling £28,000 worth of cocaine into Glasgow Airport.
Emeka Ugwu swallowed 80 capsules full of cocaine before getting on a flight that landed at the Paisley travel hub on June 6 in a bid to get the drugs into the country.
But Borer Force officials spotted discrepancies in Ugwu’s travel history and, when he was detained, he started to pass dozens of packages of white powder.
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Prosecutor Edwin Sheeran told Paisley Sheriff Court that the drugs weighed 1.2kg and had an approximate value of £28,000.
Mr Sheeran explained: “Around 6.30pm the accused arrived at Glasgow Airport from Paris Orly and was questioned by UK Border Force officers and he stated he had been in France on holiday.
“Inspection of Ugwu’s passport showed that his travel history was different and that he had travelled on May 21, to Paris, and that he travelled to Guyana, a South American Country on May 25 and returned to Paris on June 5.
“The accused confirmed he was aware it is illegal to import drugs into the United Kingdom.
“Due to a lack of explanation, he was detained. Around 3pm on June 7, the accused asked to use the toilet and passed 27 packages of white powder, now known to be cocaine.
“And he stated he had swallowed 80 capsules. Around 8.45pm, the accused passed a further 20 packages of cocaine.”
The court heard that Police Scotland’s Organised Crime partnership was informed and on June 7 the Lord Advocate granted authority for officers of the National Crime Agency to become involved. Officers went to the airport and seized the drug packages and Ugwu’s mobile phone.
Mr Sheeran continued: “On June 8, the accused passed a further 13 packages.
“Over the course of June 9, Ugwu continued to pass capsules of cocaine and due to concerns for his health, he was taken to the Royal Alexandra Hospital.
“The accused refused an X-Ray but passed a further three packages.”
It was told to Court that on June 13, officers of the National Crime Agency arrested Ugwu, 44, and at the charge bar they seized, $500 US Dollars, $145 Canadian Dollars, €527 Euros, 45 Francs and £275 Sterling.
Mr Sheeran added: “The accused was interviewed and he stated he was employed in Canada and stated that his girlfriend was seven months pregnant and that all debts were owed to banks.
“Ugwu denied having any addictions and that he had one Canadian sim card and one French sim card.
“He refused to answer any questions about how the cocaine became concealed in him.”
Defence agent Isla Sinclair asked if reports could be called for and defence mitigation reserved until then “given the nature of the offences.”
Sheriff Brian Mohan said: “I don’t know your background, you’ve been in custody since you were arrested and it is likely this offence will merit a prison sentence.”
Sentence was deferred for the preparation of a criminal justice social work report and Ugwu was remanded in custody meantime.
He will return to court on August 26 for sentencing.
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