By Courtney Dentch
Two Nigerian nationals living in Rosedale and Arverne were sentenced to prison terms last week after they were found guilty of selling and distributing heroin, Queens District Attorney Richard Brown said.
Babatunde Shodunke, 37, of 245-11 149th Ave. in Rosedale received a 15-year sentence and Bola Adeola, 37, of 146 Beach 59th St., in Arverne drew a 41-year term from State Supreme Court Justice Barry Kron June 11, Brown said. The two were convicted after a monthlong trial in the Kew Gardens courthouse in May.
They were charged with criminal sale of a controlled substance and conspiracy in connection with heroin sales, Brown said.
“These lengthy sentences are well deserved and send a strong, clear message that drug dealers will not be tolerated in any way, shape or form,” Brown said in a statement. “Both defendants could be well into their twilight years before ever seeing daylight again.”
According to testimony given at the trial, Adeola and Shodunke were arrested in October 1998, after they sold heroin to a New York City police officer. The two sold the undercover officer 1.5 ounces of heroin for $5,000 on Oct. 2, 1998, Brown said. Just a few weeks later, on Oct. 16, 1998, the pair sold 3 3/8 ounces of heroin for $10,000 to the same undercover police officer, Brown said.
It was unclear why Shodunke received a lesser sentence on the charges.
