A woman has pleaded guilty to being in possession of 22 grams of heroin with intent to supply at her house in Oban.
Patricia McGuire, 52, of 2B Sinclair Drive, appeared from custody at the town’s sheriff court yesterday.
The court heard that McGuire’s house was raided by police at 10.35pm on May 7.
Fiscal Eoin McGinty said: “She was the only person in the house. She was lying under a blanket on the settee. Police initially believed she was trying to secrete something underneath her, so they held her wrists and she was handcuffed.
“A search took place and underneath where she was lying they found nine bags in total. The total weight was just a fraction over 22 grams.
“At its lowest denominator that could be broken into 150 £10 bags, which would therefore release £1,500. My friend’s position is that it was bought for substantially less than that.”
Solicitor Laura McManus said: “She is someone who previously had a problem with heroin addiction. She managed to overcome that but started again last year.
“That spiraled out of control. She had been using a substantial amount per day. Most of the heroin she was found with was going to be for her own personal use. She is not someone who was living a lavish lifestyle, she is not a big shot drug dealer.”
Mrs McManus persuaded Sheriff Ruth Anderson QC to have McGuire assessed to be put on a Drug Treatment and Testing Order as an alternative to jail.
The sheriff said: “I am prepared to call for an assessment but I’m not holding my breath that she will remain heroin free.”
Sentence was deferred until June 21 for the assessment to be prepared. McGuire was released on bail in the meantime.