Trio Avoids Prison in Darkweb Drug Distribution Case

Three Derby residents received suspended sentences after pleading guilty to selling drugs on the darkweb.

Emma Douglas, 32, her accomplice Adrian Grundy, 32, and Emma’s mother Penny Douglas, 54, received suspended sentences at a hearing at the Derby Crown Court. The trio had previously pleaded guilty to participating in a six-month darkweb drug trafficking operation involving marijuana, cocaine, and amphetamine.

During the sentencing hearing, the court heard that Emma and Grundy had purchased large quantities of the drugs from darkweb vendors based in the Netherlands and had them shipped to their residence. They then resold the drugs on their vendor account on an undisclosed darkweb marketplace.

Penny Douglas, who used medically prescribed cannabis, knew about the drug trafficking operation. She allowed her daughter and Grundy to use her home as a base of operations.

The court heard that customs officers at the Coventry airport intercepted a package containing one kilogram of marijuana on May 25, 2017. The package was addressed to the house owned by Penny Douglas.

Officers then acquired and executed a search warrant at the residence. The search resulted in the seizure of an additional 1.5 kilograms of cannabis and undisclosed quantities of cocaine and amphetamine. The officers also seized three digital scales and packaging and labeling material.

Investigators gained access to the phones seized during the search. In messages seen by investigators, the defendants had discussed feedback received on their marketplace vendor account.

At the end of the trial, Penny Douglas was sentenced to five months in prison, suspended for a year, and a 12-month curfew. She pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cannabis.

Emma Douglas pleaded guilty to conspiring to supply cannabis, cocaine, and amphetamine. She was sentenced to 18 months in prison, suspended for two years. She also received a three-month curfew.

Adrian Grundy was sentenced to two years in prison, suspended for two years, a four-month curfew, and 100 hours of community service. He pleaded guilty to conspiring to supply cannabis and amphetamine.