Warning as judge jails drugs courier (From Gazette Series)

Warning as judge jails drugs courier

POLICE in Stroud have applauded the actions of a judge who jailed a woman for two years after she admitted carrying a large quantity of heroin on behalf of drug dealers.

Sentencing Kim Potter at Gloucester Crown Court on Monday, August 15, Judge Jamie Tabor QC said that drugs couriers, despite being under pressure from dealers, should be aware that the likely outcome of their actions would be a prison sentence.

Potter, of Newton Abbot, Devon, also had her car, a blue Vauxhall Omega, confiscated by the court.

The 28 year-old found herself in court after she was stopped for speeding on the southbound carriageway of the M5 near junction 13 on April 13.

Traffic officers had become suspicious of Potter's behaviour and had arrested her under the Misuse of Drugs Act.

Before she could be taken to a police station Potter handed officers a plastic 'wrap' that she had hidden in her clothing. The wrap was later found to contain nearly 27 grams of heroin.

A second wrap, which had also been hidden on Potter, was recovered during a search conducted at the police station. This also contained around 27 grams of heroin.

Potter admitted a charge of possession of heroin with intent to supply, although she said she had been transporting the drugs on behalf of a third party.

Investigating officer DS Adrian Stratton, of Stroud police, said Potter's sentence sent a useful message to prospective drugs couriers.

"People who run up debts with drug dealers are often tempted to become involved in courier work in an attempt to pay back what they owe," he said.

"Some believe they won't get into too much trouble if they are caught. They wrongly assume that they will receive a lenient sentence if they tell the court that they were acting on behalf of others.

"The sentence handed down gives a warning that the police, and the courts, view the role of courier as an important part of the illegal drugs trade. After all, without couriers drug dealers would have to transport drugs themselves, increasing their chances of being caught by police."