A naturalised Irish citizen Aisha Ahmed (49) aka Gloria Anwelika Aro, mother of six and her husband Yemi Moshood Olatunde
(47), aka Roy Yemmy Andrew Aro, both wanted in Italy for their parts in a multi-million euro cocaine importing operation
in Naples 14 years ago had been arrested in Dublin.
However, both couple maintained they were arrested in
cases of mistaken identity but the High Court heard their
fingerprints were "absolute matches" for the couple being sought by
Interpol.
Mr Justice John Edwards remanded the couple and maintained
that he was satisfied the woman before the court, Aisha Ahmed were "one
and the same person", despite her denials.
The couple's cases have been adjourned pending full
extradition proceedings.
Keiran Kelly BL, for the respondent, had argued that
the identification documents - fingerprints and a photograph - were not
admissible in evidence.
Ahmed's arrest hearing was told the respondent was a naturalised Irish
citizen and had been living under the name of Gloria Aro at Sundale Parade,
Tallaght. Her husband had been living under the name Roy Yemmy Andrew
Aro.
Ahmed's sentence was for the offence of, as promoter,
leader or organiser, taking part in an association with the purposes of
committing an indefinite number of crimes involving the importation, sale,
distribution, trade and illicit possession of "remarkable quantities"
of cocaine at locations in Italy between 1999 and 2000. She had been given a 22-year sentence in 2005 which was later
reduced to 20 years.
The court heard a diffusion document - requesting the
location and arrest of Ahmed - was sent to the Irish authorities by Interpol in
Italy.
Attached were her fingerprints and a photograph.
Sergeant Jim Kirwan told the court when he went to the
respondents' home address but was not at home and he left his card with her
family. However, he said he returned to the same home address in possession of
a European Arrest Warrant and spoke to Ahmed. When asked her name she said she
was Gloria Aro and denied that she was also known as Aisha Ahmed.
She gave a date of birth in December 1967 and said she
was Nigerian but told him she had never lived in Italy. Sgt Kirwan showed her
the photograph from Interpol and when he asked if it was her, she replied:
"No." She was arrested and
brought to Tallaght Garda Station where she provided fingerprints
that matched those of the person being sought.
Source: The Herald
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