A woman from Merseyside who was stopped by police while driving between south Wales and Liverpool was found to be transporting a large quantity of cannabis, with an estimated street value of £112,000, it has been revealed in court. Thirty-eight-year-old Abigail Queen, who resides in Dursley, Prescot, was apprehended after her vehicle was observed making repeated swift round trips between Cardiff and Liverpool, a pattern that raised suspicions among authorities.
Police stopped Queen’s black Mazda CX-5 near the Coldra roundabout on the A449 in Newport on 27 May. Officers, who had been monitoring the car’s journeys, pulled her over and questioned her about the possibility of illegal substances being in her possession. Initially, Queen claimed ignorance, telling the police she was “delivering clothes for a friend” and insisted there were only “two bags of clothes in the car.” The car’s satellite navigation, however, showed it was set to a destination in Caerphilly, suggesting further irregularities with her explanation.
A thorough search of Queen’s vehicle led officers to discover two sizable boxes containing vacuum-sealed packages, which later testing confirmed to be cannabis. In total, 39 individual bags weighing 500 grams each were seized. When confronted with the findings, Queen reportedly insisted, “I was trying to do a mate a favour, I’ve been stitched up,” pointing to her belief that she had been set up or exploited.
The extensive haul, as presented in court by prosecutor Victoria Maud, was valued at approximately £112,000 on the street. Two mobile phones belonging to Queen were also confiscated during the arrest, and when later interviewed by the authorities, she denied any involvement in drug offences. Despite her denials, Queen eventually entered a guilty plea to a charge of possessing cannabis with the intent to supply.
The sentencing proceedings took place at Cardiff Crown Court, where additional details emerged regarding Queen’s personal circumstances. Defence barrister Adam Sharp informed the court that Queen, who had previously not been in trouble with the law, faced mounting financial struggles. He indicated that she had developed an excessive cannabis habit which resulted in significant debt, making her vulnerable to those involved in organised crime. Caught in this spiral, Queen was reportedly coerced into acting as a courier to settle what she owed, a role acknowledged as both “risky and dangerous.”
Judge Shomon Khan considered both the seriousness of the offence and Queen’s personal situation while delivering his sentence. Rather than imposing an immediate custodial sentence, the judge elected to suspend a 10-month prison sentence for a period of 24 months. Queen will also be required to undertake 15 rehabilitation activity days and observe a curfew monitored by an electronic tag for three months.
The case has highlighted the ongoing challenges surrounding drug trafficking between major UK cities, and the way individuals with vulnerabilities and debts can find themselves manipulated into playing a role in criminal operations. While the precise scope of the drug network remains undisclosed, this incident underscores the difficulties faced not only by law enforcement but also by the people drawn into such illicit enterprises, sometimes through desperation or coercion.
Queen’s claim that she had been “stitched up” raises questions about the tactics used by those organising the regional drug trade, as well as the methods by which couriers are enlisted and controlled. Such assertions will likely remain a subject of investigation as the authorities continue their efforts to disrupt such networks and protect those at risk of exploitation.
This case also brings attention to the effectiveness of roadside policing and intelligence-led investigations, which proved instrumental in intercepting the large shipment before it could reach its intended destination. The successful seizure has undoubtedly prevented a significant quantity of drugs from reaching Welsh communities.
As the story unfolds, it serves as a reminder of the complicated nature of drug trafficking cases, where individuals involved often grapple with a host of personal and societal issues. The criminal justice system’s response in this matter—balancing punishment with rehabilitation—reflects a nuanced approach increasingly being adopted in similar cases across the UK.