Tristina Hay, Samuel David Cross face possible jail-time for trying to import 600g of cocaine from ‘dark web’ into northern NSW

A couple who fled police on the Gold Coast were busted trying to smuggle “dark web” cocaine into a Northern Rivers town. Now, they could be locked up.

Tristina Hay and Samuel David Cross were busted trying to import cocaine from the United Kingdom through the “dark web”, a court heard. Picture: Instagram

A couple fled police on the Gold Coast and were busted in a 600g “dark web” cocaine sting in the Northern Rivers – now the pair could be locked up.

Tristina Hay, 32, and Samuel David Cross, 34, had their case up for sentencing in Lismore District Court on Thursday.

The pair originally from Tallebudgera have pleaded guilty to attempting to import a marketable quantity of cocaine into Australia from the UK.

The couple tried to import more than half a kilogram of cocaine. File image. Picture: iStock

The co-offenders fled to Northern NSW after becoming aware they were wanted by Queensland Police following an arrest warrant being issued on December 17, 2021, according to court documents.

They were based in Casino when they tried to import the marketable quantity of cocaine over the “dark web” between August 8 and October 12, 2021.

The pair tried to evade arrest by fleeing out a bedroom window during a raid at a Barkers Vale address, near Kyogle, in December 2021, according to police.

It’s not clear if Hay and Cross remain in a relationship.

The court heard Cross came across someone on the “dark web” who could solve “their financial worries”.

All they had to do was “receive a package” – which was seized by police during transit.

Cross’s barrister said the failed importation was “fairly amateurish and unsophisticated” and the couple were not part of a “greater criminal organisation”.

Tristina Hay and Samuel David Cross.

“They’re not very good at this,” he told the court.

Hay’s barrister said her involvement was “very limited” and she provided “scant assistance”.

The court was told Cross took the lead role in offending.

“The gravity of the crime can be distinguished one from the other, with (Hay) being less culpable and less involved (than Cross),” he said.

The lawyers said both offenders underwent detox and rehabilitation after their arrest, and were remorseful.

The drug was sourced from the dark web. File image. Picture: iStock

The offending was borne out of cocaine addiction that left the couple with a physical need for the drug – and no money to support it.

Cross started using drugs at age of 11 during a “deprived and neglectful upbringing”.

Hay grew up disadvantaged in a “shed” in Nimbin, often going hungry, and she used drugs at a young age, the court heard.

The pair face possible jail-time, the court heard.

The court heard the Gold coast couple were both addicted to cocaine at the time of offending.

Hay has been on bail for almost a year after seven months in custody, while Cross has remained in custody.

Hay choked back tears as she listened to her barrister negotiate to allow her to serve her sentence in the community.

The pair are due to learn their fate when sentencing resumes on June 22.