Ngaleena Unahi (26) appeared in the Dunedin District Court this week after pleading guilty to eight charges featuring class A, B and C drugs, as well as prescription medication.
Judge Kevin Phillips gave her six months’ home detention, describing it as "a difficult sentence".
Between January and April, Unahi sold cannabis to 14 associates in the Dunedin area in quantities worth up to $100.
From February, the court heard, she also sold Ecstasy on 22 occasions, making $5370.
Court documents revealed how Unahi would maintain contact with her clients on social-media apps such as Facebook and Snapchat and would deliver the product or arrange for people to pick it up from her home.
"Demand for MDMA increases hugely in Dunedin during university Orientation and Re-O Week socialising," police said.
"Some of the addresses the defendant delivered drugs to were in the student area, including delivery to a student residing at a University of Otago hall of residence."
Such was the scale of drug use in the city in February, that of 35 wastewater sites tested around the country the Dunedin site recorded the highest MDMA consumption rate per capita.
Police executed a search warrant at Unahi’s family home on April 5 where they found drugs throughout the property.
There was $1775 cash and ziplock bags in a sunglasses case along with MDMA crystals.
More of the class-B substance was located in the defendant’s wallet and in a cigarette case in the kitchen.
Alongside a set of digital scales were deal bags containing cannabis and there were cannabis cookies found in an ice-cream container on top of the fridge.
There was more cannabis in the bedroom, prescription painkillers in a cabinet and magic mushrooms in the glove box of her car.
Counsel Judith Ablett-Kerr KC said despite her client’s traumatic past she was a woman who "clearly has potential".
Unahi, the court heard, had worked hard on her education, obtaining qualifications by correspondence.
"This really has to be a crossroads," Ms Ablett-Kerr said.
Judge Phillips said noted Unahi was assessed as having no drug issues and being at low risk of reoffending.
He declined an Otago Daily Times application to photograph the defendant because he said it may be detrimental to her rehabilitation.
