Washington: A federal grand jury has convicted a US national for his role in illegally importing more than 500 grams of heroin from India.
Adolphus Nwokedi, 47, from New Jersey, faces a mandatory minimum of five years in prison and a maximum potential penalty of 40 years in prison.
His sentencing is set for March 21 next year.
According to indictment, from October 2013 through December 2013, Nwokedi conspired with an individual in India to ship a parcel containing heroin into the United States.
In return for USD 3,000, Nwokedi agreed to accept the package at his business address in Newark and then deliver it to another conspirator living in Bronx, New York.
On December 11, 2013, customs officers at the John F. Kennedy International Airport mail facility intercepted the parcel and found 524 grams of heroin.
On January 2, 2014, agents with Homeland Security Investigations conducted a controlled delivery of the parcel.
Nwokedi personally accepted the parcel in Newark and was subsequently arrested.