A COUPLE who ran a drug distribution operation from their West Bathurst home have pleaded guilty to the charges against them and will be sentenced next month.
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Erin Clayton, 22, pleaded guilty to knowingly participating in a criminal group assisting crime while her de facto partner, Aiden John Hartnett, pleaded guilty to supplying a prohibited drug [larger or equal to a commercial quantity] in Bathurst Local Court last month.
Clayton, of Pacific Way, West Bathurst will be sentenced on September 2 while Hartnett, who remains in custody, is listed for sentence in the next sittings of the Bathurst District Court.
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Agreed facts in Clayton's matter outlined that although she complained about "junkies coming to her house on a daily basis" she assisted people in meeting Hartnett at their home, handed money to people and received money on Hartnett's behalf.
The court heard of police recordings where Clayton and Hartnett discussed his drug supply activities, with Clayton expressing concern that Hartnett was involved with another dealer.
Clayton reminded Hartnett that "I'm the one who helped you with this" in reference to the drug supply business. She also complained to Hartnett they were actually making less money "now we have to pay him [the dealer]".
On January 12, 2018, Hartnett and Clayton were recorded discussing the man's reliability. Clayton said "he doesn't work he's got shit so what the [expletive] is he, he's just lost three grand pretty much".
Agreed facts also outlined how on January 15, 2018, Clayton answered a knock at the door. An unknown female asked "how much is it?" and Clayton replied "$150, ta".
The female said "thanks, see ya" before leaving.
On January 24, 2018, Hartnett and Clayton were recorded discussing the supply activity and Clayton complained they were "basically losing half an ounce".
Other facts outlined how Clayton reprimanded Hartnett for customers who came by the house unexpectedly, saying she "freaks out because she doesn't know if she gave him too much or too less".
The court also heard how she gave two men who wanted to buy drugs directions to a house where the drugs were stored, and how, at the request of Hartnett, she put a bag in a garbage bin for another person to collect.
The man was later stopped by police and found with a black plastic bag containing $45,000.
Clayton later lamented that "that could have bought my house".
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