Conviction in Heroin Smuggling Case Means 15 Years

A Loudoun jury recently convicted Sulemana Ali of possession with intent to distribute heroin and transporting a controlled substance into Virginia, according to the Loudoun Commonwealth Attorney’s Office. The jury recommended a 15-year sentence.

Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Jason A. Faw

The charges stemmed from March 29, 2012, when Ali landed at Dulles International Airport on a commercial flight from Accra, Ghana. Ali was found to be in possession of fraudulent travel documents and was posing as the son of an older male who was traveling with him. While passing through customs, Ali was stopped for secondary screening by Department of Homeland Security officials, who observed that Ali’s stomach and midsection was rigid.

Ali was taken to a hospital and x-rayed, which revealed multiple foreign objects, later determined to be heroin, in his stomach. In total 87 pellets containing more than 1100 grams, or about 2.43 pounds, of heroin.

“This type of case is relatively unique for a state prosecution,” said Commonwealth’s Attorney Jim Plowman. “However, with a major international airport in the county, it’s a situation that has become increasingly familiar. We’re fortunate to have built strong working relationships with our federal law enforcement partners in maximizing accountability in these situations.”

Ali admitted to swallowing pellets to smuggle the heroin into the United States and that the older male traveling with him was not his father.

Final sentencing is set for Aug. 21 at 10:00 a.m.