Sarah Baines sentenced to 11 years for drug trafficking

Sarah Baines, a 33-year-old from Melbourne, has been sentenced to 11 years in prison for her involvement in a drug trafficking operation. She was convicted of conspiring to traffic methamphetamine and also for trafficking GHB. Baines, who previously sold sex toys, became entangled in a deal to buy 1kg of meth for $165,000 at a service station in June 2022. The drugs were valued at nearly $300,000 on the street. She was working with Abdul Diallo and Darren Hafner, who were part of a larger drug syndicate. Investigators tracked the group through phone calls and discovered their plans to purchase meth. The deal fell apart when a courier halted the transaction for reasons that are still unknown. Police later raided Baines' apartment, where they seized drugs and evidence of her activities. In court, it was noted that Baines had no prior convictions and led a reckless lifestyle involving drug use. Her sentencing was part of a bigger investigation by the Victorian Joint Organised Crime Taskforce, which identified Diallo and his network as significant players in importing drug ingredients into Australia. Both Diallo and Hafner received prison sentences as well. Diallo was sentenced to a maximum of 12 years, while Hafner received an 8-year term. Baines will be eligible for parole after serving seven years.