A 51-year-old Nigerian mother of four was jailed earlier this month for six years by Ipswich Crown Court after attempting to smuggle cocaine worth almost £80,000 into the UK.HMRC officers stopped Noyimat Ronke Salau at Stansted Airport on November 4 when she arrived on a flight from Istanbul.Salau said she was visiting her sister in Middlesex but when her suitcase was emptied it still felt heavy. Officers scanned the luggage and packages could be seen in the side linings of the suitcase. A hole was made with a spike and a white powder was discovered which tested positive to cocaine. In total 1.97 kilograms of cocaine with an estimated street value of £78,800 and £850 in cash, which was found in her handbag, was recovered. Salau was arrested and charged in November with drug smuggling offences and she pleaded guilty in February. She was charged with the importation of a controlled drug under the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979.His Honour Judge Neil McKittrick in sentencing Salau said: "You are of previous good character and you gave a no comment interview. However, the evidence against you is substantial.
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