A Grantham woman who drove a drug dealer to Luton on two occasions has been jailed for three years.
Petrona Gabriel, 47, was caught during Operation Quartz – a Lincolnshire Police operation which targeted the supply of Class A drugs from London and Luton to Grantham.
Lincoln Crown Court heard Gabriel was a “long standing” heroin addict and crack cocaine user who played a limited role to get free drugs for her own use.
Gabriel, formerly of Beck Gardens, Grantham, pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of crack-cocaine in March 2015.
Richard Thatcher, prosecuting, said: “On two occasions she had agreed to drive to Luton knowing that the likely purpose was to arrange for the delivery of Class A drugs.”
At the time of the offence Gabriel was on bail after being caught with 20 wraps of heroin valued at £200 during a search at Grantham police station in August 2013.
Gabriel also admitted being caught with another 14 individual wraps after she was searched at a police station following an appearance at Lincoln Crown Court in May 2016.
Michael Cranmer-Brown, mitigating, told the court: “She has been over the years a long standing drug addict, principally heroin, also crack cocaine.”
Mr Cranmer-Brown said her problems started when Gabriel’s partner left her at the age of 29.
She later managed to get off drugs and find work but returned to the addiction when her father became ill.
“She was a customer for those running that enterprise,” Mr Cranmer-Brown added.
“Sometimes she was told there were no drugs available. She was offered a couple of what are known as ‘stones’ if she drove to Luton and given £20 for her petrol.”
The court was told Gabriel has transformed her life since being remanded in to prison and obtained 30 certificates.
Judge Michael Heath, passing sentence, told Gabriel: “You were at the time a heroin and, to some extent, crack cocaine addict. You had a serious addiction.
“I hope that on your release you will put drugs and crime behind you. Its up to you.”
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