A teenager – who appeared in court sporting pink hair – has been told by a judge her drug dealing is ruining Margate’s reputation.

Rebecca Russell, 19, was arrested after being caught hiding a whopping 243 wraps of heroin under her armpit.

Unknown to her, she was caught up in an undercover police operation, codenamed “Operation Alter”.

A judge was told that although she wasn't charged with supplying drugs to plain-clothed police – known as Test Purchase Officers – she was searched.

Prosecutor Donna East told Canterbury Crown Court that underneath her armpit she had stashed a whopping £2,400 worth of the Class A drug, with purities up to 70%.

Russell, of Sweyn Road, Cliftonville pleaded guilty to possessing the illegal drugs with intent to supply and possessing drugs and was given a two year detention order at a Young Offender’s Institute.

"Drugs destroy lives but our officers are determined to disrupt the supply chain and stop drugs entering our communities..." - Det Sgt Mat Scott

Judge Simon James told her: “Margate is in the throes of an exciting regeneration which is good news for those who live and work in this famous seaside town.

“However the place continues to be blighted by rampant drug abuse and anyone who becomes part of that scene, for whatever reason, should realise that they are contributing to these problems.

“Such is the prevalence and extent of the problem that an undercover police operation was set up to try and arrest those involved in drug abuse.”

The judge said that Russell didn’t sell to undercover officers and was at the time addicted to Class A drugs and her “vulnerability was exploited by others”.

Natasha Spreadborough, defending, had told the court that the teenager was “young and naive” and she was now tackling her addiction.

“She only became involved in this because of pressure from those further up the chain. She has now shown a high level of remorse and has now rid herself of her own drug addiction.”

The judge told her: “It is to your immense credit that you have made efforts to address your own addiction.”

He added that because of her efforts he was able to reduce her sentence to two years.

After the sentencing, Detective Sergeant Mat Scott said: "Drugs destroy lives but our officers are determined to disrupt the supply chain and stop drugs entering our communities.

"Russell is now off our streets and unable to continue her illegal trade."

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