A fast food worker ran an encrypted group chat called "Charlie and the narcotic factory" as part of her operation supplying cocaine, MDMA, cannabis and magic mushrooms out of Newcastle hotel rooms.
Tiarna Hobbs-Ladd, now 22, was working casually at McDonald's and staying in a hotel on Hunter Street when cleaners found a large quantity of drugs in her room on March 20 last year.
Police were called and a search of the room uncovered cocaine, MDMA, cannabis, magic mushrooms and two mobile phones.
Hobbs-Ladd was arrested and later told police she was a heavy cannabis user and took other drugs on weekends.
An analysis of her phone revealed drug supply activity dating back to mid-2023, including 52 transactions during which Hobbs-Ladd would source drugs from upline suppliers and then negotiate deals with customers via text message.
She would either direct the buyer to come and see her, supply the drugs in person or get others to make deliveries.
Hobbs-Ladd was also using the encrypted messaging app Signal and was the "creator and administrator" of a group chat called "Charlie and the Narcotic factory".
The chat had 38 members and was operated solely for the purchase, supply and distribution of drugs, the court heard.
Hobbs-Ladd pleaded guilty in March to four drug supply charges, admitting to supplying 632 grams of cannabis, 109 grams of MDMA, nine grams of cocaine and 93 grams of psilocybin between 2023 and 2025 at Newcastle West.
She gave evidence from jail on Wednesday, telling Newcastle District Court she had been selfish and made a number of bad decisions.
"I am prepared to face the consequences of my actions," she said.
"I am truly sorry for all the harm I have caused to others and to my community.
"This experience has been a significant wake-up call and I am committed to ensuring I do not make the same mistakes and offences.
"I deeply regret the harm I have caused my family, friends and my community.
"I am willing to make the changes to better myself."
Hobbs-Ladd said when released she hoped to complete her apprenticeship to become a chef now that she was properly medicated for ADHD.
Defence barrister Rebecca Suters had said Hobbs-Ladd was not living an extravagant lifestyle as a result of her drug supply operation and was still working at McDonald's.
She submitted that Hobbs-Ladd was close to serving her non-parole period given her age and the efforts she had made in her rehabilitation while in jail.
Judge Tim Gartelmann, SC, said Hobbs-Ladd was supplying drugs partly to support her own use and now had good prospects of rehabilitation and was unlikely to re-offend.
He jailed Hobbs-Ladd for a maximum of three years, with a non-parole period of 18 months.
With time served since her arrest, she will be eligible for parole in September.
