On-duty MTA bus driver busted for heroin trafficking after smuggler meets him along his route with $3 million worth of dope: court papers Francis Abankwa arranged the meeting with the smuggler, Boubacar Traore, aboard his Bx2 bus route in the Bronx on April 17, according to a Brooklyn Federal Court Criminal complaint.
NEW YORK DAILY NEWSPublished: Thursday, April 24, 2014, 10:41 AMUpdated: Thursday, April 24, 2014, 11:22 AMSHARE THIS URLFrancis Abankwa allegedly picked up the heroin smuggler while driving the Bx2 bus on the Grand Concourse in the Bronx.All aboard the heroin express in the Bronx.
An on-duty city bus driver was busted after picking up a heroin smuggler carrying $3 million worth of dope from Africa on his Bx2 bus route in a pre-arranged rendezvous on the Grand Concourse, the Daily News has learned.
The driver, Francis Abankwa, was nabbed by federal agents after the last passenger got off his bus and he and the smuggler finished the journey at the Kingsbridge Depot in Inwood, according to court papers.
Abankwa did not know that the smuggler, Boubacar Traore, had been caught with heroin in his luggage earlier in the day at Kennedy Airport and had agreed to cooperate with Homeland Security agents, according to court papers.
The shocking tale that would have Ralph Kramden bellowing, “You are a blabbermouth!” began around 11 a.m. April 17 when Traore arrived in the city on a British Airways flight from London that originated in Tanzania, according to court papers.
U.S. BORDER & CUSTOMSBoubacar Traore allegedly smuggled 3.5 kilos of heroin in this burgundy Samsonite roller bag.
Customs and Border Protection officers spotted an unclaimed Samsonite roller bag in the baggage carousel and traced the ticket to Traore, a father of seven who operates a grocery shop in Ghana.
While Traore sputtered that he had forgotten to pick up the bag, officers probed the side of the bag and found it was loaded with heroin, the court papers allege.
Traore flipped like a cheap suit and agreed to carry out the delivery under the supervision of federal agents, according to the papers.
Calling a cell phone number he had been provided by a drug trafficker in Ghana, Traore spoke to Abankwa who allegedly set up a meeting at a bus stop on the Grand Concourse and East Tremont Ave.
U.S. CUSTOMS & BORDERU.S. Customs and Border Protection officers spotted the unclaimed bag at Kennedy Airport and questioned Traore.
Traore was waiting when Abankwa rolled up in his city bus.
“While on the bus, Traore and Abankwa…discussed in sum and substance narcotics trafficking," according to the complaint filed in Brooklyn Federal Court.
Traore rode the bus all the way to the depot with Abankwa where they were both arrested.
Federal prosecutors agreed to Traore’s release on $100,000 bail. Abankwa, 50, remains held at the Metropolitan Detention Center. He faces at least 10 years in prison if convicted.
Abankwa has worked for the MTA for eight years and earned $102,000 in 2012, including overtime.
Neighbors at his Bronx apartment building said Abankwa lives alone and his wife and children are in Africa.
One of Abankwa’s co-workers said he was surprised by the charges.
“He’s always been a respectful person. Pleasant. He was friendly with everyone.”
With Edgar Sandoval
LOL... No wonder some B/O's were so up in arms about BusTime and BusTrek... 