A DRUG dealer caught with ice claims she was introduced to the drug by the former managers of the Lavington Red Rooster, a court has heard.
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Natasha Mary Smith, 28, had worked at the Wagga Road fast food outlet when she was younger.
She claimed in the Wodonga Magistrates Court through her lawyer that the managers at the eatery introduced her to ice, which later led to a drug problem and her relationship breaking down.
The business closed unexpectedly in March 2015 and later re-opened with different management.
Lawyer Mario Vaccaro said Smith had had a problem with meth for about three years.
The Albury woman was caught by police in Moorefield Park Drive about 1.35am on August 22.
Officers intercepted a vehicle and searched it, and found 5.6 grams of the drug in one bag, a gram in another bag, tick sheets, scales with ice residue, empty deal bags and 1.4 grams of marijuana stuffed in her bra.
Her phone had messages detailing drug deals.
The 28-year-old and a co-accused were arrested.
After being arrested, Smith slept for four or five days straight.
She had earlier been arrested on July 17, having injected methamphetamine the day before.
Smith was found with marijuana a week later as part of Operation Hash.
Police intercepted a car on Belgrade Avenue about 2.22am on July 24, and caught Smith with half-a-gram.
She was placed on a bond for meth and ecstasy possession earlier in the year.
Magistrate John Murphy said a societal change was needed to battle the ice problem.
“It’s right out there,” he said.
“If you want to peddle the stuff … the fact you’re peddling the stuff, that wrecks lives.”
Mr Vaccaro said his client wanted to get her life back on track.
The magistrate said she would keep coming back to jail unless she stopped using ice, and ordered she undertake 200 hours of community work.
