A Chinese woman “trafficked to the UK as a teenager” has been jailed after being found guilty of dealing cannabis.
Oin Fen Chen was imprisoned for eight months after a jury found her guilty of being concerned in supplying the class B drug, worth around £145,000, in 2021.
Chen, 51, was described as being “the smallest of small pawns” in the operation.
She could have been suitable for a non-custodial sentence had her English not been poor.
Sentencing, Sheriff Alastair Carmichael pointed out the jury had rejected her defence she had merely been in the Ladywell Avenue property to clean it on October 8, when she was caught.
Court hears trafficking victim claim
Defence solicitor Ian Houston, in mitigation for Chen at Dundee Sheriff Court, said: “She has lived in this country for decades and has no previous convictions or outstanding matters.
“The report indicates this lady was possibly trafficked to this country in the 1980s.
“She was 15 when she came to the UK.
“When she got to the UK she had to pay money to the man who brought her over.
“She cannot put a figure on how much she handed over (to him).
“There is a suggestion in the report she is vulnerable.
“She is not allowed to legally work in this country.
“She has no assets, no money.
“There was nothing seized by police.
“I will submit she was the smallest of small pawns in this operation.
“It is unfortunate she has been left to carry the can.
“There was a lot of cannabis involved in this offence and it does have to be considered a serious one.”
Prison only option open to sheriff
Sentencing Chen to eight months in prison, Sheriff Carmichael said: “You were convicted by the jury of being concerned in the supply of 14.5 kilos of cannabis, which has the upper value of £145,000 on onward supply.
“This was organised by a relatively sophisticated organisation.
“I note you have no previous convictions.
“Your status appears to be of someone who does not have a legitimate right to be in the UK.
“You have been assessed as someone suitable for a restriction of liberty order but not supervision or unpaid work because of your lack of English – despite having lived here for 35 years.
“The jury rejected your evidence you were only at the property to clean it.
“I do accept your role was at the lower end.
“Given the amount involved and the limited number of non-custodial options available, a custodial sentence is the only one available.”
