Drugs smuggler used pepper to fool sniffer dogs

Feb 4 2008

A SMUGGLER doctored drugs with pepper to fool sniffer dogs as she tried to take cannabis into a young offenders' institution, a court heard.

Samantha Harris, 21, of Park Hall Crescent, Castle Bromwich, was jailed for eight months at Stafford Crown Court for trying to take the drug into Brinsford Young Offenders' Institution, near Cannock.

She was told by Judge Simon Tonking: "Those who are prepared to take drugs into prison will not be allowed to get away with it.

"It is a case with some sophistication about it because the drugs had been doctored and made difficult for sniffer dogs to detect."

Harris admitted possessing cannabis with intent to supply.

The court heard she was stopped as she tried to enter the institution last May.

She initially denied having drugs on her. But more than 12 grammes of cannabis, worth £240, were found in an envelope after she was searched.

"The cannabis had pepper on it to put off sniffer dogs at the prison," said Nick Burn, prosecuting.

"It was a deliberate enterprise and a deliberate concealment."

Joseph Lewis, defending, admitted there was little he could say for Harris by way of mitigation but claimed her life was at risk if she was jailed.

"She knew what she was taking in and knew it was a sophisticated attempt to get drugs into prison," he said.

"She fully accepts her actions. She is a vulnerable person and is at risk if she is sent to prison. She is now a good girl."