Police dog sniffs out cocaine in bedroom safe
Cumbria PoliceA drug dealer was caught out when a police dog sniffed cocaine with a potential street value of £18,000 inside a locked safe at her home.
Cumbria Police officers executed a warrant at the Penrith address of 43-year-old Sarah Burton on 5 March.
At Carlisle Crown Court, she admitted possessing Class A cocaine with intent to supply and was given a suspended two-year jail sentence.
Burton, of Chase Park, claimed she had been "warehousing" the drug under pressure after being saddled with a drug debt by a former partner.
Prosecutor Lucy Todd told the court a police dog called Milo had been searching the property, "indicating interest in a chest of drawers" in a bedroom.
About £400 in cash was on top of them, with the animal moving its attention to a bedside table from which drug-related items were recovered.
"Milo [then] indicated [interest] in the wardrobe where a large safe was recovered," said Todd. "Officers forced entry to the safe."
'Lesser' supply role
Almost 225g (8oz) of cocaine was found inside, divided into £80 deals in small plastic bags.
Officers also found cutting agents and weighing scales in the same room, while phone messages showed Burton "to actively be involved in drug dealing," Todd added.
"An interview was conducted with the defendant, whereby she admitted the offence, but raised a defence to state that she had done this under duress due to a debt.
"There was nothing to corroborate that Ms Burton had been operating under duress."
Defence lawyer David Wales said Burton had travelled a "difficult road" having been exposed to drugs from an early age, and was the mother of four children - three aged under 18.
Sentencing, judge Recorder Philip Grundy agreed Burton had played a "lesser" drug supply role, under pressure, with no influence on those above her in the criminal chain.
In view of her childcare responsibilities, and having read a probation service pre-sentence report, Grundy concluded he could suspend a two-year jail term for two years.
Burton must complete a rehabilitation requirement and 150 hours of unpaid work.
