No drugs but still an offence

A MOTHER of four who unwittingly drove an undercover cop around while trying to source drugs for him was lucky she didn’t succeed in her quest.

Louise Ann Hiles had been instructed by her de-facto partner to obtain meth for the “customer” who she drove around to two places in St George on November 23, 2019, but couldn’t access any drug.

Hiles’ partner had been found by police to have been involved in drugs via Operation Romeo Minster which targeted drug trafficking in the St George and Dirranbandi areas at the time, Toowoomba District Court heard.

Two undercover police operatives had allegedly acquired meth and a weapon from Hiles’ partner, and he was yet to face court on those charges, the court heard.

Despite not obtaining any drugs, Hiles pleaded guilty to a charge of supplying a dangerous drug arising from acts preparatory to supply.

“You’re very lucky you couldn’t find these drugs,” Judge Deborah Richards told the 37-year-old.

“You would be going to jail if you found those drugs.”

Defence barrister Geoff Seaholme said his client had since moved away from St George with her children.

His client’s partner had spent periods in prison and would no doubt return to jail when sentenced for these matters, he said.

Judge Richards suggested Hiles think seriously about her relationship with her partner while he was in prison.

“It’s not a good way to raise your children around drugs and guns,” she said.

Hiles was sentenced to 18 months probation.