Toni Watson attempted to smuggle Suboxone strips into Yatala prison
A mother-of-four agreed to smuggle drugs to an inmate in jail after she was held captive and repeatedly injected with drugs over a debt, a court has heard.
North & North East
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A Whyalla mother who said she was held captive and drugged over a debt agreed to participate in brazen drug smuggling to pay a man back, a court has heard.
Toni Cheryl Anne Watson, 30, made the foolish decision to meet demands after she was left traumatised from being detained in a northern suburbs house.
The Adelaide District Court heard Watson, 30, was intercepted attempting to smuggle 21 Suboxone strips into Yatala Labour Prison on November 8, 2020.
Suboxone is commonly used for opioid addiction and people who are coming off heroin.
“The authorities were waiting for you because they had heard many lawfully recorded telephone conversations between you and a prisoner at Yatala during which you planned the offending,” Judge Timothy Heffernan said during sentencing.
During sentencing submissions in April, Scott Jelbert, for Watson, told the court she was threatened by a man who believed she owed him money for drugs.
Mr Jelbert said as a result of this Watson was held captive in a northern suburbs house and repeatedly drugged a couple of weeks before the offence.
“On one occasion she woke up and there were men on either side of her injecting more drugs into her arms,” he said.
The court heard Watson, who was traumatised by being held captive, agreed to smuggle the Suboxone in to pay the man back.
The court heard the Suboxone strips which Watson picked up from a Mile End house could fetch about $33 each if sold in jail.
The Whyalla mother-of-four pleaded guilty to drug trafficking.
The court heard Watson, who hopes to work in traffic management, had a long-term drug addiction but had recently completed a rehabilitation program.
“I note from some of the recorded prison calls that when you were discussing delivering drugs with the inmate, it is quite obvious that your young daughter was nearby seeking your attention,” Judge Heffernan said.
Judge Heffernan sentenced Watson to nine months and 15 days’ jail.
“Illicit drugs are used as currency within the prison system,” he said.
“Their sale and use can cause obvious problems for the prison authorities and the welfare of the prisoners.
“The distribution of illicit drugs within the community, including the prison community, causes significant social harm.”
The sentence was suspended on a two-year good behaviour bond, with supervision.
“You are clearly at a critical point in your rehabilitation from drug dependency,” Judge Heffernan said.
“There is a significant public interest in permitting you to continue your rehabilitation within the community.”
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