Court / Court hears of drug ‘trafficking enterprise’ as pair admit charges
TWO people from Lerwick have appeared court in relation to what has been described as a “fairly large” heroin trafficking enterprise.
Lerwick Sheriff Court heard on Wednesday that police officers came across “significant” quantities of the class A drug and cash, which totalled tens of thousands of pounds.
Jessica Richards, of Ladies Drive, appeared at Lerwick Sheriff Court on Wednesday to admit being concerned in the supply of diamorphine on or between 5 July and 18 August last year at various addresses in the town and elsewhere, while on bail.
Ryan Henry, 46, of North Lochside, appeared alongside her in the dock but on a different charge of knowingly permitting or offering his premises to be used for the purposes of unlawfully supplying diamorphine during the same time period.
Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie said suspicions were first raised after an off-duty police officer leaving the Clickimin Leisure Complex overheard Richards, 34, speaking on the phone in Lerwick on 5 July, with concern that arrangements were being made for a drug deal.
Off the back of this a male was then found in possession of a wrap of heroin.
The court heard that other officers arrived to detain Richards, who attempted to hide a bag underneath a vehicle.
Mackenzie said the bag contained a number of items of drug paraphernalia, a quantity of heroin and a sum of cash of more than £28,000.
Lerwick Sheriff Court heard that Richards then said: “I’m f*cked, I’m f*cked”.
Following her release on bail police continued to receive intelligence about her activity, with suggestions this was to recoup money sized by police.
A search of her home was carried out with more cash and heroin found.
Broken down into the smallest sellable amounts, this heroin had a total value of £5,120. Cash totalling more than £30,000 was also recovered, the court heard.
“This is not a case of someone just couriering the drugs,” Mackenzie said.
With background social work reports due to be prepared, defence agent Tommy Allan said he would reserve mitigation until the next hearing.
Sheriff Ian Cruickshank adjourned the case until 9 April for the preparation of a criminal justice social work report and restriction of liberty order assessment.
Consideration of a confiscation order was also continued.
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