A ‘role-model’ taxi driver whose licence was suspended after he allowed a third party to possess two kilos of cocaine in his vehicle has told the Sunday World he wants his taxi licence returned to him.
Shabakiyu Sanusi of Forest Mill Crescent, Athlone, pleaded guilty at Cork Circuit Court to an offence that, on November 4, 2021 at M8 Glanmire, Cork, he was in control of a 2015-registered Toyota Prius and did knowingly permit the possession of a controlled drug.
The background of the case was that he was a taxi driver whose vehicle was stopped and searched.
His passenger was carrying two kilos of cocaine in a bag with a street value of €140,000.
Sanusi, who was given a two-year sentence for the offence, told the Sunday World last week: “I’m still seeking my licence back … I’m expecting it back.”
Asked whether he believed he should get his licence back given the offence he had pleaded guilty to, Sanusi replied: “Yes, because everything is a lesson, and when you get a lesson, it doesn’t mean that you are ever going to commit that offence anymore.
“But I don’t want to talk to the paper. This is impromptu and this is the first time this had happened to me.”
When it was put to the 61-year-old that in circumstances where a person is convicted of knowingly transporting such a large quantity of drugs they might expect to be jailed, he responded: “I am not the one.
“It was a customer who had the drugs in his own private property and it was the customer who was caught.
“He didn’t discuss with me that he was carrying cocaine.
“If he discussed it with me, I wouldn’t have taken him.”
Asked then, why he had pleaded guilty to knowingly allowing a third party to possess the cocaine in his vehicle, Sanusi responded: “Because, when he was transporting the bag into my car, I knew that he was transporting the bag into my car. I don’t know what was inside of the bag,”
Sanusi then said he needed to speak with his lawyer before saying anything further.
Our reporter provided Sanusi with his email address in the event his lawyer wished to issue a further statement.
At the court sitting held in Cork, Judge Colin Daly said: “He appears to have allowed his passenger to keep the drugs in the vehicle. I take into consideration that his role was a minor, secondary role.
“Despite the significant value of drugs, I am satisfied the headline should be three years.
“In mitigation, there is his plea of guilty and his co-operation, so the headline sentence can be reduced to two years.
“He is a 61-year-old man now. A family man, previously of good character.
“He is an important role model in the migrant community where he lives.
“His taxi licence is suspended and, most likely, will be lost as a result of this offence.
“He has shown remorse, which I believe is genuine. He has remained [in the country] to deal with the charges.
“His co-accused made a different choice.”
The judge acceded to the application by defence barrister, Alan O’Dwyer, to impose a fully suspended sentence.
Judge Daly imposed a suspended two-year sentence on Mr Sanusi.
