Veta Drew’s ‘poorly planned’ attempt to smuggle drugs to inmate

A court heard the Lismore woman’s attempt to smuggle drugs into a correctional facility was “poorly planned” and “out of character”.

Veta Drew fronted Lismore Local Court on July 27. Photo: Facebook

A Lismore mum-of-three has pleaded guilty after a failed attempt to smuggle drugs to her cousin in jail.
Veta Thomasena Drew fronted Lismore Local Court on July 27, charged with bringing a prohibited drug/plant into a place of detention, supplying a prohibited drug of a small quantity, failure to appear in accordance with bail acknowledgment and drive a motor vehicle during a disqualification period.

She pleaded guilty to all charges.

The court heard from her solicitor Hannah Donaldson that Drew was visiting her cousin in custody with a family friend when the “out of character” event happened.

“She tells me … this is the only time I’ve done this or ever even considered doing this,” she said.

However, the attempt was busted by correctional officers due to the “poor planning” of the scheme.

“It was done right in front of the correctional officer and that officer able to detain Ms Drew immediately,” Ms Donaldson said.

In regards to the driving disqualified charge, the court heard Drew was “pressured” to drive the vehicle and left the boot open because she was transporting a sold motorbike.

However, Magistrate Jeff Linden baulked at the “strong subjective need” for a licence as argued by Ms Donaldson.

“But she’s never held a licence?” he asked .

“She hasn’t satisfied to anybody she can drive a motor vehicle.”

Drew also had previous driving while disqualified history over the years.

Despite that, Ms Donaldson stressed Drew intended to get a licence soon.

“Granted now she’s facing the full consequences of this poor compliance with the road rules,” she acknowledged.

Ms Donaldson added the single mother had been “deterred to some degree” by spending a night in custody and asked the Magistrate to take that into account when sentencing.

Magistrate Linden noted the offending was “a serious couple of matters”.

He convicted Drew on all counts and sentenced her to a Community Corrections Order for 18 months.

She was also disqualified from driving for a further 12 months.