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Mother's death revealed drug life Mother's death revealed drug life
(4 days later)
A mother who gave her family all that money could buy hid the fact that she was a drug mule, the High Court heard.A mother who gave her family all that money could buy hid the fact that she was a drug mule, the High Court heard.
Cecilia Obialo's husband and children were "shattered" when she died after a cocaine package burst inside her in 2005 and was revealed to be a smuggler.Cecilia Obialo's husband and children were "shattered" when she died after a cocaine package burst inside her in 2005 and was revealed to be a smuggler.
Her husband asked the court not to make an order to sell three east London houses his wife had bought, as his family would be homeless and destitute.Her husband asked the court not to make an order to sell three east London houses his wife had bought, as his family would be homeless and destitute.
But judge Mr Justice Collins said he had no option but to enforce the law.But judge Mr Justice Collins said he had no option but to enforce the law.
The judge expressed sympathy for the plight of the family and said he was sure they had not known of Mrs Obialo's criminal activities until after her death.The judge expressed sympathy for the plight of the family and said he was sure they had not known of Mrs Obialo's criminal activities until after her death.
It is a cliché to say if people act dishonestly it is not only they who suffer, but it is their families Mr Justice CollinsIt is a cliché to say if people act dishonestly it is not only they who suffer, but it is their families Mr Justice Collins
Although she had never stood trial, overwhelming evidence had come to light that she was involved in drug trafficking, benefit and mortgage fraud, said the judge.Although she had never stood trial, overwhelming evidence had come to light that she was involved in drug trafficking, benefit and mortgage fraud, said the judge.
The 2002 Proceeds of Crime Act allows the recovery of assets even in cases when there had been no trial and no criminal conviction.The 2002 Proceeds of Crime Act allows the recovery of assets even in cases when there had been no trial and no criminal conviction.
The judge said he appreciated both husband and children were "the innocent party", but the law was "very, very harsh" and aimed at preventing criminals retaining the benefits of their crimes.The judge said he appreciated both husband and children were "the innocent party", but the law was "very, very harsh" and aimed at preventing criminals retaining the benefits of their crimes.
The judge told Mr Obialo: "It is a cliché to say if people act dishonestly it is not only they who suffer, but it is their families.The judge told Mr Obialo: "It is a cliché to say if people act dishonestly it is not only they who suffer, but it is their families.
"Sadly you find yourself in that position.""Sadly you find yourself in that position."
Nigeria tripsNigeria trips
Mrs Obialo was admitted to hospital in April 2005 and died four days later after one of 12 cocaine packages she had swallowed burst inside her.Mrs Obialo was admitted to hospital in April 2005 and died four days later after one of 12 cocaine packages she had swallowed burst inside her.
The judge heard she had recently returned to London from Nigeria, and had swallowed the packages to smuggle them into England.The judge heard she had recently returned to London from Nigeria, and had swallowed the packages to smuggle them into England.
The family's three houses will be sold and the equity claimed by the Assets Recovery Agency.The family's three houses will be sold and the equity claimed by the Assets Recovery Agency.
The judge indicated that the family's only hope was that an insurance company would pay out on a £95,000 life assurance policy.The judge indicated that the family's only hope was that an insurance company would pay out on a £95,000 life assurance policy.