EXCLUSIVE: Drug suppliers using 'cleanskins' with 'paid jobs' to deliver cocaine-woman said she was 'buzzing for shifts' before getting caught

DRUG suppliers are using "cleanskin" adults to deliver their goods in the hope it will lead to less detections by police, it has emerged.

Adults with no criminal past are offered regular well-paid shifts with expenses covered inthe hopeitwill lure them into being illegal delivery drivers to drug users.

Details emerged during the prosecution of Claire Young, a woman, who said she was "buzzing" to work part time "shifts" as a drug courier, instead of a standard job.

She avoided jail after being caught with cocaine deliveries in her car.

Young, 45, told a friend she was excited to start the illicit work after unknown individuals offered her shifts of between £150 to £250 plus petrol expenses delivering cocaine across Portsmouth in her car.

Portsmouth Crown Court heard Young messaged s friend to say: "I can't wait to start earning money to feel better."

In another message she said: "I am buzzing to work - I don't care because I have tried the normal way."

One friend replied to say there was a risk in what she was doing, but "not to worry" because if she got caught, she would "only get a slap on the wrist because it is a first offence."

The court heard that Young had no previous convictions before the prosecution was launched.

She was pulled over by police while driving her car at about 4pm in Holbrook Road, Portsmouth, in February this year.

Luisa Rose, prosecuting, said: "Detectives searched the car and she admitted to officers that drugs were in the vehicle. There were two bags of cocaine worth £90 to £100, a Samsung mobile phone and £615 in cash.

"She was arrested and said the drugs were given to her. In custody she was visibly upset and said 'they would come to her address', but she declined to expand further about the risk.

"There was a dog search and a further seven bags of cocaine were found weighing 4.88grammes of 76 percent purity and with a street value of £350. The total value of all the drugs was £405 to £450."

In a police interview on February 28 she admitted that she had done a few earlier runs before being pulled over.

On her phone were messages from the supplier saying where she should drop the drugs.

Other messages offered her work of £250 for a shift with £20 expenses paid towards petrol.

Ms Rose added: "She is a woman of 45 and the crown says there was an element of a significant role and she was expecting

a substantial financial advantage.

"She was working every Tuesday and every Thursday and when read in conjunction with other messages relating to drug dealing, she earnt £170 to £270 every shift twice a week, so a minimum of £1,360 to in excess of £2,000 a month and she had the intention of picking up more shifts if possible."

Ms Rose said there had been no evidence of her being forced or coerced into taking part and it appeared to be a "friendly arrangement" that she has entered into freely just to make money.

She was charged with one count of possession with intent to supply a controlled drug of Class A – cocaine.

Defending Ed Wylde said: "She will never make that decision again. Her family are here to support her and she will not get involved again. She needs mental health support and is now getting that."

Judge Daniel Sawyer said she had made a "catastrophic decision" to get involved in drug dealing.

He said: "You let various problems in life get away and you tried to solve it by very foolishly getting involved in drug dealing. One of the messages said you would only get a slap on the wrist because it was a first offence, but that is not what is happening and that was bad advice generally.

"The starting point is three years and for someone involved with money it starts higher at four years. The reason this has come down is largely your good character and mental health issues."

He said if these factors had not played a part she would be going away for a few years.

He sentenced her to a two year community order with two requirements including 12 months of primary care with a mental health service requirement.

There are also 20 Rehabilitation Act requirements, meaning she will have 20 days of going to the Probation Service to support her.

But he warned her that if she offended again she would face prison.

He added: "I think this is the last time we are going to see you, but if you breach this and you come back in front of me, I will be out of options."