Cocaine gang busted after party got too wild
BBCA gang of cocaine dealers was busted after a house party got too wild, a court has heard.
Police found up to £15,400 worth of the Class A drug and more than £7,000 in cash hidden in a biscuit tin when they went to break up an "out of control" gathering in Sunderland in August 2023, Newcastle Crown Court heard.
Four people have already been sentenced with runner Katie James, 37, the final one to be dealt with.
James, from Sunderland, was jailed for 18 months, suspended for 18 months, after admitting being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs.
Officers attended a house on Tanfield Road on 25 August 2023 after getting reports a party there had "got out of control", recorder Joseph Hart said.
On a kitchen worktop they found a small amount of cannabis and a bag of white powder prompting further searches, the court heard.
In a biscuit tin officers found a carrier bag containing 250g of cocaine and more than £7,000 in cash, the court heard.
Prosecutor Claire Anderson said the drugs were worth between £13,000 and £15,390.
Mobile phones were also seized which revealed James had been a "runner", selling the drugs directly to customers, the court heard.
Hart said James was a hard-working and "devoted" mother, who it was "clear" was in "significant financial difficulties" at the time.
While he said James' claim "naivety" led to her to get involved in drug dealing was "doubtful", the judge said she played a "lesser role" and for only a short period for which she had expressed genuine remorse.
As part of her sentence, James will have to complete 50 hours' unpaid work and comply with a mental health treatment requirement.
