Jacinta Maree Hyland in Maroochydore court for trafficking, possessing weed

A Maroochydore carer whose “profit-driven” drug trafficking business spanned over 93 customers cried as she was sentenced in court.

A Maroochydore woman’s “profit-driven” marijuana business has come to a sudden halt after she was jailed for five months in court.

Jacinta Maree Hyland, who works as a carer, cried in court as she was given two and half years prison to be released on parole after serving five months.

The 57-year-old pleaded guilty to trafficking dangerous drugs and possessing dangerous drugs in Maroochydore District Court on Monday.

Crown prosecutor Samantha O’Rourke said police searched Hyland’s Maroochydore home on February 5, 2021, where they found 75g of marijuana and seized her phone which had evidence of trafficking.

Police also found a tick sheet with 27 customers who owed her money and more than $9000 in cash.

It was later revealed Hyland had a total of 93 customers and 101 transactions, with the largest quantity she sold weighing up to 0.5kg.

Jacinta Hyland pleaded guilty to trafficking and possessing marijuana in Maroochydore District Court.

Ms O’Rourke said the charges represented a “clear escalation” of the carer’s drug offending which had landed her in court in the past.

Defence barrister Mark Dixon said Hyland had the support of her family and members of the community who regarded her as someone who helped others.

Mr Dixon said his client was forced to raise her children alone after her husband passed away in the late 1990s.

The court heard Hyland had struggled with mental and physical health conditions including depression and anxiety during which time she self-medicated with marijuana.

While sentencing Hyland, Judge Gary Long said she had developed a long standing addiction to the drug and was running a “profit-driven” business.

Hyland was crying as she was taken into custody for five months.