A mother of three caught up in a large-scale drug syndicate operating out of Wellington, has blamed her partner and older brother for her involvement.
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Sharria Termecia Thompson, 24, pleaded guilty to supplying 79.85 grams of ice, participating in a criminal group and organising a drug premises.
Thompson was one of dozens arrested as part of Strike Force Pinnacle - a 14-month undercover police operation targeting a drug supply syndicate operating out of Wellington.
According to documents, Thompson was involved in the syndicate between December 2019 and May 2020.
In court documents, Thompson performed a number of roles to help keep the drug syndicate - headed by her brother Kyle - running.
Secret police tapped phone calls monitored Thompson selling ice to her brother Bradley Thompson and many other clients.
On one occasion she arranged to sell ice to a man for $50, and instructed another member of the syndicate, about the location of drugs in her bedroom. On another occasion she asked a man to supply "one big one" to an unknown person in exchange for "4" - which meant an ounce or 28 grams of ice in exchange for $4000.
She was again monitored texting another woman who asked for a "half one", when Thompson sent back a thumbs up emoji. Thompson later supplied 14 grams of ice in exchange for $2250.
For one particular user and purchaser who did not have a working car, Thompson occasionally arranged drug couriers and occasionally allowed the use of her motor vehicle to deliver drugs to that purchaser in Dubbo from Wellington.
On a few occasions she also alerted the others to the activities of law enforcement.
During the police operation Thompson was unemployed and receiving government benefits.
In court documents, authorities said the amount of money she was pushing though poker machines at the time of her offending was "inconsistent with the legitimate income earnt from welfare payments".
In court on Wednesday Defence barrister Paul Coady tendered written submissions to the court, spoke about Thompson's "sensitivity" she felt following the death of her parents.
Prosecutor Adam Barnes said all except one Strike Force Pinnacle offender, who had been sentenced in the Local Court, had received jail sentences.
He said Thompson's role was "more substantial" than other offenders, as she was trusted as her brother Kyle was the head of the syndicate, and partner was "deeply involved" in the organisation.
But based on parity, he said there was "more than sufficient grounds" for the court to grant Thompson a community-based prison sentence.
However Magistrate Theresa Hamilton said there was no evidence before her to indicate Thompson was "at the top of the hierarchy" of the syndicate's operation.
The court heard Thompson said she had became involved in the syndicate because of her partner and brother.
"She has no prior convictions," Magistrate Hamilton said.
"It's accepted that the defendant has certainly suffered some extra-curial punishment and she has also spent five months and 16 days in custody," Magistrate Hamilton.
Thompson was convicted and sentenced to an 18-month term of imprisonment to be served in the community in the form of an intensive corrections order.
She was also ordered to complete 150 hours of community service work.
Thompson was arrested in May 2020, alongside other members of the syndicate.
Thompson was granted bail and released from custody in November last year to be by her mother's hospital bed, after an incident that also killed her father on November 8.
Kyle Thompson has pleaded guilty and his matter remains before the court.