United States v. Amaechi

991 F.2d 374 (7th Cir. 1993)

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Nature of the Case

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Facts

A suitcase arrived at JFK Airport from Lagos addressed to Doreen. The waybill indicated it was clothing and a customs inspector opened it and found 431 grams of 91 percent pure heroin with the total value worth close to $396,000. The almost pure heroin was replaced with cut heroin, and a radio bug was put into the suitcase, and it was delivered to Doreen. The radio transmitter went off and agents jumped in and found Doreen kneeling down in front of the open valise beginning to peel back the lining where the heroin was. Doreen claimed to be innocent regarding the contents and agreed to cooperate as she was to deliver the suitcase to Amaechi who had asked her to receive the package in the first place. Amaechi offered her $50 if she would cancel a hair appointment in order to get the valise. After the suitcase was transferred, Amaechi was arrested. Amaechi appealed his conviction and the main point was the court erred in not introducing Doreen's prior conviction for shoplifting.