A DRUG courier who was caught carrying £25,000 worth of cocaine was warned yesterday she faced going to prison for the offence.

Claire Paterson, from Kirkcaldy, was paid just £150 to pick up the class A drug at Glasgow Airport and deliver it.

Paterson (21), of Farne Court, pleaded guilty to possessing the drug on the A92 near Cowdenbeath on January 19.

She also admitted being in possession of the drug with intent to supply it to another, or others.

Depute fiscal Rebecca Kynaston told Sheriff Ian Dunbar at Dunfermline court that Fife Police were tipped off the occupants of a silver Mazda may be carrying controlled drugs.

Officers spotted the car at 9.28pm and stopped it.

As they got out they saw Paterson pass something to the driver.

A search of the car revealed a plastic bag containing white powder in the glove compartment and Paterson was arrested.

“The powder contained in the plastic bag tested positive for cocaine,” Miss Kynaston said.

There were 18 ounces of the drug which had a potential street value of up to £25,000.

The accused was taken to Dunfermline police station and interviewed by detectives.

Paterson told them she was asked by an unnamed person to go to Glasgow to pick up a package.

She suspected it might be drugs and decided to take a friend along.

She met up with a woman who was driving a Land Rover at the BP petrol station at Glasgow Airport and was handed the bag.

Paterson told the police she was paid £150 for collecting the package.

It was as she was heading home that she was arrested.

Sheriff Dunbar told Paterson, “You have admitted being concerned in the supply of a very significant quantity of class A drugs.

“Clearly a prison sentence is the most likely outcome.”

He called for reports and deferred sentence until next month.

Paterson’s bail was continued, but she was warned by the sheriff, “You must not take that as any kind of indication as to the type of sentence you will receive.”