A WOMAN arrested for using fake police lights to speed through traffic — because she was running late for court — has been jailed over her $50,000 drug trafficking business.

The District Court has sentenced Ebony Lerra Holland-Harris to more than three years’ jail, deeming her trafficking operation too serious for a suspended prison term.

In sentencing, Judge Simon Stretton said Holland-Harris’ downfall came about because she needed a lift to court — and chose her mode of transportation poorly.

“You were detected in a car which was driving down Main North Road displaying flashing red and blue emergency lights,” he said.

“You were in the front passenger seat (and) had told the driver you were running late for a court appearance at the Adelaide Magistrates Court.

“Police pulled the car over and noticed a Samurai sword protruding from the boot through the centre fold-down seat in the rear of the vehicle.

“This prompted a full search of the car (and) you were trafficking in a significant quantity of very harmful illicit drugs.”

Holland-Harris, 31, of Norwood, pleaded guilty to five counts of trafficking in a controlled drug and faced a maximum $50,000 fine, 10-year jail term or both.

She was arrested at Enfield on May 26, 2016 inside a blue Kia sedan that used flashing police-style lights to move through traffic. The car was being driven by Benjamin Michael Stacey, who was also charged over the incident.

Police seized the sword, a loaded air rifle and stolen tools from the vehicle, while Holland-Harris had both drugs and $4760 cash on her person.

In sentencing, Judge Stretton said Holland-Harris had a total of 12.35g of MDMA in various forms, including powder and tablets, and 5.34g of methamphetamine.

He said a subsequent search of her house yielded a further 48.5g of MDMA and 9.28g of methamphetamine.

“In your bedroom police also found a paper notebook with the front cover labelled ‘debts’,” he said.

“You gave evidence that the notebook only illustrated monetary loans you had extended to friends of yours ... you said it was not used to chronicle drug debts.

“The book was labelled ‘debts’. It had a number of references to drugs through slang and shorthand ... a police declaration states that the format and entries of this notebook indeed are consistent with a drug dealer’s tick list.

“It indicated buyers from as far south as Noarlunga, as far west as Semaphore, as far north as Kapunda and as far east as Payneham ... the sum total exceeds $50,000.

“There are also items such as jewellery, including bracelets, rings and watches, small electronics such as tablets, phones and laptops, or weapons such as Tasers.

“The potential inference is that you took these items for payment or somehow on account, in some way, for the drugs.”

Criminals found guilty ... of being incredibly dumb Criminals found guilty ... of being incredibly dumb

Judge Stretton said dealers such as Holland-Harris placed addicts “in particularly desperate situations”, were “a blight” on society and “wrecked lives and destroyed families”.

“You were undertaking a substantial street level trafficking operation with a view to profit,” he said.

He imposed a non-parole period of 18 months.