Danielle Follett, Karon Horan involved in Wellington drug syndicate

Two mums who helped keep a notorious drug syndicate running in regional NSW have appeared together to learn their fates in court.

Two mothers who got tangled up in a major drug syndicate one of their boyfriends ran have fronted court together to learn their fates.

In October Wellington woman Danielle Louise Follett, 32, pleaded guilty to drug supply, criminal group participation and assist in conducting drug premises charges.

Danielle Follett was the partner of Kyle Thompson. Picture: Facebook

The mother of three was the partner of Kyle Thompson, the man who ran a drug syndicate out of Wellington which saw ice, heroin and cocaine delivered from Sydney and supplied across western NSW.

Between 2019 and 2020, court documents state police attached to Strike Force Pinnacle monitored the syndicate’s activities and Follett’s role became clear.

She packaged drugs up, directed people to others they could buy drugs from and allowed Thompson to use her bank account to receive cash for his drug dealing.

In January 2020, police were able to pin Follett for drug supply after phone calls between her and a woman named Barbara were intercepted.

During one of the calls Follett agreed to wrap 20 “things up”, which was a coded reference to buprenorphine strips.

In another call Follett said to Barbara: “I put in the mailbox … I didn’t have anyone to help but (sic) in the balloons and I have long nails and kept splitting them lol but they are all wrapped it just needs to go in the balloon”.

Kyle Thompson pleaded guilty to a string of charges and remains remanded in custody. Picture: Facebook

Later that month, police intercepted a call where Follett agreed to place 50 bupe strips into a package at the direction of a person named Xanthe.

Court documents state that in March 2020, Thompson’s brother Brad contacted Follett to ask her if she could access 50 bupe strips while he was an inmate at Wellington jail.

She said she could and knew the strips were to be delivered to the Wellington jail.

When police raided Follett’s home they located mobile phones, drug paraphernalia, scales, a safe, resealable bags and cash.

In Dubbo Local Court on Wednesday when Follett was due to be sentenced, defence barrister Daniel Pace said his client had served four months in custody and was directed to perform tasks in the syndicate.

Danielle Follett is on the path to rehabilitation, a court heard. Picture: Facebook

He said Follett had low self-esteem and lost the confidence to speak out about the syndicate Thompson was running

“She is an Aboriginal single mother of three children,” Mr Pace told the court.

“She’s well on the path to rehabilitation.

“She needs to continue to seek treatment for her mental health.”

The court heard Follett wrote a letter of apology to the court and had struggled during her complex on again, off again relationship with Thompson.

Crown prosecutor Jesse Friend said Follett had not suffered significant hardship and that the Crown did not oppose a community-based prison sentence being imposed.

Dubbo Local Court Magistrate Gary Wilson decided not to sentence Danielle Follett until January. Picture: Ryan Young

Magistrate Gary Wilson said Follett’s matters were complex and he wanted more time to consider the sentence.

Her case was adjourned to January 20, 2022 for sentencing.

Follett’s mother Karon Horan appeared alongside her daughter in court and she was convicted and sentenced over her involvement in the syndicate.

Magistrate Gary Wilson said Horan’s involvement was “limited” and she was otherwise a person of good character.

After pleading guilty to a charge of participating in a criminal group, which came about because she looked after Follett’s house and kept tabs on police activity in Wellington, Horan was handed an 18-month community corrections order.

She must also undertake 150 hours of community service.

Kyle Thompson has pleaded guilty to multiple charges including directing the activities of a criminal group and supplying a large commercial quantity of prohibited drugs. He is yet to be sentenced and his case returns to court in March.

Brad Thompson was convicted of participating in a criminal group and drug supply in September. He was jailed and will be eligible for parole in April 2022.

Earlier this month Follett’s sister, and Horan’s other daughter Tara, was convicted for participating in Thompson’s syndicate and she was handed a two-year intensive corrections order.