A Launceston woman caught with an ounce of methylamphetamine and more than $32,000 in cash hidden in her bedroom has been jailed for 15 months.
Alana Lynette Murray, 28, pleaded guilty to trafficking in a controlled substance and dealing with property suspected of being proceeds of crime.
She also pleaded guilty to summary charges including possessing a stolen firearm, ammunition and possessing a firearm without a licence.
Police searched her Launceston home at 10:30am on February 15, 2024.
In her bedroom they found a double barrel shotgun concealed in the lining at the back of the bed headboard, along with 12 shotgun rounds in the wardrobe.
Murray was sitting in a chair during the search. When asked to move, police found a bag in the lining holding 27.7 grams of methylamphetamine, $32,380 in cash and a mobile phone.
Her handbag contained digital scales, empty snap lock bags and rubber bands. The drugs were worth between about $12,000 and $17,000.
Supreme Court Justice Robert Pearce said Murray had a “difficult childhood” and left school before completing Grade 8.
The court heard she took on responsibility for her mother and brother while raising a daughter and that the weight of that responsibility led to recreational drug use, which progressed to daily methylamphetamine use.
He said her addiction contributed to the offending.
“The use of and trade in methylamphetamine causes terrible harm,” Justice Pearce said.
“It is a matter of great concern to the courts and the community and generates other offending, especially crimes of dishonesty and violence.”
He said traffickers “must understand that harsh punishment will result”.
Justice Pearce said Murray was not eligible for a drug treatment order because she faces outstanding charges for violence.
The sentence runs from August 14, 2026, the day she was remanded in custody, with no order as to parole.
Nine months was suspended for two years from her release, with conditions including probation supervision, drug treatment and completion of the EQUIPS addiction program.
The $34,165 seized and the shotgun were forfeited to the state, with Murray ordered to pay $558 in analysis costs.
