Lynn Great Gran Drugs Baron
A GREAT grandmother who financed a lavish lifestyle of expensive cars and foreign holidays by dealing ecstasy and other drugs has been jailed for eight years.
Police found what was described as a "drugs supermarket in Lynn" after raiding the home of Elaine Helguson (59) in September last year and recovering 3,100 worth of cocaine, ecstasy tablets worth 4,000, around 3,000 of cannabis and amphetamine worth 612.
Helguson, of 23 Burkitt Street, Lynn, was sentenced at Norwich Crown Court on Friday, when her partner Edwin Tagg (60), of the same address, was also jailed for five years for his part in the operation.
Mr Nick Methold, prosecuting, said that when police raided the couple's home Helguson ran through the kitchen and was found sitting on the edge of the bath holding a bag between her legs which had drugs inside.
The court was told that the drugs seized were cut and ready for distribution.
Mr Methold said the couple had been enjoying "high living" for at least two years which included a 50-inch television worth 2,500, two BMW cars and regular holidays.
Both had been claiming benefits but were living off proceeds from the sale of drugs. Helguson had 16,000 in a bank account while 7,900 in cash was found in the house during the raid.
When arrested Helguson made no comment but Tagg said he had not been dealing drugs and merely answered the telephone and door.
He later admitted two charges of being concerned with the supply of drugs and one offence of possessing criminal property including the BMWs, jewellery, a Samsung cinema system, an Xbox, accessories and a PlayStation.
Helguson admitted possessing cocaine with intent to supply, possessing 1,236 ecstasy tablets with intent to supply, two other offences of possession with intent to supply and two of being concerned with the supply of drugs to others.
The court was told she had previous convictions for possessing amphetamine and cannabis with intent to supply.
Mr Neil Guest, for Helguson, said her best mitigation was her guilty plea. He added that she was a mother, grandmother and great grandmother.
Mr Philip Levy, defending Tagg, said his involvement in the operation had been on a lower scale.
On passing sentence, Recorder Guy Ayres said: "You were both involved quite significantly in the commercial supply of these drugs in Lynn for about two years.
"You were very significant dealers of these drugs for greed, making money out of the misery of others, relatively living a life of luxury from what you were making from drugs.
"He (Tagg) says he was simply answering the door and telephone, I do not accept that. He must have had knowledge and played a significant role and knew you were dealing drugs."
Recorder Ayres said Helguson had been treated leniently when facing drugs offences in the past.
He added: "You did not learn your lesson and continued in this disgraceful lifestyle. It is unusual for someone like you at your age to be before the court.”
Speaking after the case, Detective Sergeant Warren Witt, from Lynn CID Tactical Unit, said: “This case shows that drug dealing will not be tolerated in Norfolk. We are constantly, actively targeting drug dealers and, as this shows, the courts will come down hard on anyone caught and convicted.”
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Sunday 27 May 2012
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