Woman jailed for hiding drugs in mouth at prison visit

A Cardiff woman who smuggled cannabis and phone memory cards into a Bridgend prison hidden in her mouth has been jailed after losing her pub manager job over the incident.

Montana Robertson was caught during a routine search when she visited her boyfriend at HMP Parc on 4 April last year. The 23-year-old had three grams of cannabis worth £10 and three memory cards concealed in cling film wraps inside her mouth.

After her arrest, Robertson told officers she’d acted under “peer pressure” from her partner. She admitted: “I’m 23 and ought to have known better.”

Police examined Robertson’s phone and discovered text messages where she’d agreed to smuggle drugs and other items into the jail. A subsequent search of her Pant Glas home in Pentwyn uncovered cannabis jellies, gelato cannabis and additional green vegetable matter totalling £70 in value.

Robertson, who had no previous convictions, pleaded guilty to two counts of conveying listed articles into prison and possession of cannabis at Newport Crown Court on Wednesday.

Her barrister Nigel Fryer called the case an “absolute tragedy”, explaining his client had enjoyed a stable career as a pub manager with a decent life and strong support network. The court heard she’s no longer with her former boyfriend and had acted out of naivety under his influence.

Judge Matthew Porter-Bryant ruled the offence warranted immediate custody, sentencing Robertson to 50 days imprisonment.