Kara Larking jailed in Adelaide District Court for trafficking methamphetamine from Adelaide to Port Lincoln

A mum busted with up to $130k worth of meth claimed she was travelling across SA to buy a dog when she was really transporting drugs to a country town.

A drug dealer caught with methamphetamine potentially worth over $130,000 wants to kick her own habit so she stops hurting her children.

Kara Jane Larking, 34, was jailed in the Adelaide District Court earlier this month after her desire to be a “super mum” led to a drug addiction.

The court heard Larking was detected after police found text messages sent by Larking on the phone of another person also suspected of drug trafficking.

“The messages appear to show that you had been arranging to sell two half gram amounts of methamphetamine to a person for $800,” Judge Timothy Heffernan said during sentencing.

Police received information that Larking was transporting methamphetamine from Adelaide to Port Lincoln.

She was intercepted on the Port Lincoln Highway on September 1, 2020.

Police found 134g of a substance which contained 68g of methamphetamine in her car, as well as tick lists and mobile phones at Larking’s home.

“The explanation you gave to police about your movements on the day of this offence was that you had driven to Adelaide the day before to buy a dog,” Judge Heffernan said.

“The value of 134g found in the glasses case was between $33,500 and $52,600 if sold in larger amounts or between $67,000 and $134,000 if sold in individual points.”

Kara Larking was jailed in the Adelaide District Court earlier this month. Picture: Facebook

Larking, of Port Lincoln, had previously pleaded guilty to drug trafficking.

“The evidence of the text messages and the tick lists suggest that you were involved in sale on an ongoing basis,” Judge Heffernan said.

“You admitted that this occasion was not your first drug run from Adelaide.”

The court heard Larking, who is a mother-of-three, is remorseful for her offending.

“You first tried methamphetamine at the urging of a friend,” Judge Heffernan said.

“Your responsibilities were getting on top of you and you believed that using that drug would make you a super mum.”

The court heard Larking’s addiction worsened after her stepfather passed away and she told a psychologist she started dealing to fund her own addiction.

“I would have thought I’d have been able to make money but I didn’t. I smoked my profit,” she told the psychologist.

“Debt was a matter of particular concern to you because by your own estimation you owe approximately $50,000 in police and court fines,” Judge Heffernan said.

The court heard Larking, who has previously worked in the travel and hospitality industry, is currently abstinent from drugs.

“Your prime motivation in wanting to beat your addiction and avoid further offending is your children,” Judge Heffernan said.

Judge Heffernan sentenced Larking to three years and nine months jail, with a non-parole period of two years and three months.

“It cannot be ignored that if disposed of in small quantities, the amount of drug in your possession could have been sold as over 1000 points,” he said.

“The serious social harm that is caused by methamphetamine is well-known.”