A Nigerian drug mule jailed for five years for attempting to import methamphetamine from India to Queensland has had an application to appeal the sentence rejected.
Nosiru Iyanda Ajelara, 40, pleaded guilty after he accepted a package containing a metal cog, which concealed 297.6 grams of ice, at the home of an acquaintance in Corinda in April 2013.
The package had been intercepted by customs officers in Sydney and was instead delivered by an undercover police officer.
Ajelara had arrived from Sydney at his friend's Corinda house unannounced the day of the delivery.
He was intercepted by Australian Federal Police when he left the property with three mobile phones that had been used for various roles in the delivery.
Ajelara claimed a man called Daniel Wilson from Sydney had paid for him to fly to Brisbane and collect the parcel.
He told police he knew there were drugs inside but was not aware what kind they were.
Ajelara was also caught with 100 pellets of cocaine hidden on his body when he flew to London in 2005.
He was deported to Nigeria after serving two years in jail and moved to Australia in 2009.
Ajelara's legal team appealed his sentence and requested a new trial on the grounds it was manifestly excessive.
He cited concern for his family and that his wife and children require his support.
In a written judgment released on Friday, the Court of Appeal said authorities recognise people who play a limited role in drug importation nevertheless play a necessary part.
Justice Peter Applegarth agreed Ajelara's family will suffer hardship due to his imprisonment but noted hardship to family members "cannot overwhelm considerations such as the need for deterrence denunciation and punishment".
The court found the sentence was not excessive and refused the appeal application.
Share
