Woodkirk Stone
A Derby woman’s short-lived drug smuggling empire was shattered when a 1kg package of cannabis was intercepted at Coventry Airport.
Derby Crown Court learned how, for six months, Emma Douglas also bought cocaine and amphetamines in the Netherlands.
The 32-year-old woman, from Alvaston, broke down the wholesale quantities, repackaged them, and mailed them in smaller quantities to customers she had found using the dark web.
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Her mother Penny Douglas, who was told at the hearing that she smoked cannabis to alleviate her health problems, knew what was going on and authorized the use of their Warren Street address for this purpose.
And Emma Douglas’ partner in the illegal trade, Adrian Grundy, crudely stuck his middle finger to our camera as he tried to cover up his identity after the three were given suspended sentences.
Recorder William Harbage QC said: “You have all been involved, to a greater or lesser extent, in the supply of drugs.
“Paula Douglas, you let Emma Douglas and Adrian Grundy do this at home, you mailed to customers who contacted you online rather than on the street.
“But there has been a significant delay in bringing this case to court and it is regrettable, which makes the administration of justice extremely difficult.”
Siward James-Moore, prosecuting, said customs officials intercepted the 1kg cannabis package at the airport on May 25, 2017.
He said a warrant had been issued for the Douglas and other drugs had been discovered.
James-Moore said: “In one room there was cannabis, cocaine and amphetamines.
“It was packing boxes, labels and three sets of digital scales. “
He said the intercepted 1kg package of cannabis could have fetched up to £ 10,000 and there was an additional 1.5kg loose in the room.
Mr James-Moore said the cocaine could have cost as much as £ 8,000 and that both Emma Douglas and Grundy’s fingerprints were on the drugs and packaging.
He said: “Evidence on their cell phones showed they were using a postal service to sell drugs on the dark web.
“There were conversations between them where they talked about the negative comments they had received online and from other competitors.”
Emma Douglas has pleaded guilty to conspiring to supply cannabis, cocaine and amphetamines.
She was sentenced to 18 months in prison with a two-year suspended sentence and a three-month curfew.
Penny Douglas, 54, pleaded guilty to conspiring to supply cannabis and was jailed for five months, suspended for a year, with a 12-month curfew.
And Grundy, 32, of Catterick Drive, Mickleover, has pleaded guilty to conspiring to supply cannabis and amphetamines and convert criminal property.
He was sentenced to two years in prison, suspended for two years, with 100 hours of unpaid work and a four-month curfew.
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