Jackson Igwebuike, who is accused of importing 10 kilograms of the drug ice inside three fish statues was found guilty in Australia, today, despite maintaining he was set up by a friend.
Igwebuike, 34, maintained throughout his trial in the ACT Supreme Court that he was tricked into transporting the drugs, which he was caught with while trying to board a bus from Canberra to Sydney.
See previous report here Igwebuike said he agreed to deliver the fish statues to help his friend’s decor business, as the friend had helped him when he came to Australia to study. But he said two men came and broke open the statues, revealing packaging wrapped in black, and demanded he take them to Sydney.
He told the court the men threatened him with a gun and a picture of his wife, who was in Nigeria. Igwebuike told the court he realised what was happening but he was scared and unable to back out.
“They made it clear that if I did not take these items they would be prepared to kill my wife and destroy me,” he told the court.
“They have ruined my life. I can’t even get a job.” The jury rejected his account and took just over two hours to find him guilty of importing the drugs. He will be sentenced in October.
