Woman thinks she was 'stitched up' but she made £281,000 and it cost her £145

A drug courier who told police she'd been "stitched up" after making multiple trips between South Wales and Liverpool has been ordered to pay back just £145 despite benefiting by £281,000. She was found in possession of £112,000 worth of cannabis when she was pulled over by police.

Abigail Queen, 28, was the registered owner of a black Mazda CX-5 which had made a number of "quick turnaround" journeys between Cardiff and Liverpool. On May 27, police officers saw the car on the A449 near the Coldra roundabout in Newport and was pulled over.

A sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court last year heard the defendant was asked by officers if there were any drugs in the car. 

She responded: "I don't think so, I am delivering clothes for a friend. There are two bags of clothes in the car."

The Sat Nav revealed the car was travelling to an address in Caerphilly.

When the vehicle was searched, officers discovered two large boxes containing vacuum packed bags of cannabis.

Upon being arrested, Queen said: "I was trying to do a mate a favour, I've been stitched up."

The drugs were examined and a total of 39 bags containing 500g of cannabis each were found.

Prosecutor Victoria Maud said the street value of the cannabis was £112,000.

Two phones were also seized and the defendant was interviewed, in which she denied the offences.

Queen, of Dursley, Prescot, Merseyside, later pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply cannabis.

The court heard she was of previous good character.

In mitigation, Adam Sharp said his client has caring responsibilities and fell into debt after using cannabis excessively.

The barrister said the defendant was unable to fund her habit and was asked by drug dealers to pay off her debt by working as a courier, a role described as "risky and dangerous".

Judge Shomon Khan sentenced Queen to 10 months imprisonment suspended for 24 months.

She was also made subject to a 15 day rehabilitation activity requirement and a three-month tagged curfew.

A Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) hearing at Cardiff Crown Court on Wednesday heard Queen benefited to the tune of £281,220 as a result of her offending, but only has available assets worth £145.

Judge Richard Kember ordered the defendant to pay the available sum within three months or serve one month imprisonment in default.