SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - A 47-year-old woman was sentenced to one day in jail and given a $1,500 fine on Tuesday for possession of 48.1 grams of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking, to which she had pleaded guilty.

"It's not a victimless crime - the victim is the entire community," said territorial court Judge Bernadette Schmaltz.

Two RCMP officers arrived at the woman's residence to investigate a noise complaint on May 28, 2009. The caller had described the sound of a young female crying and then loud banging sounds.

The woman invited the officers inside to investigate and though they found no source of the noise, she informed them she had marijuana in her house.

She handed the police a black reusable grocery bag which had 48.1 grams of marijuana, individually bagged in tin foil and plastic bags, as well as a scale.

The woman has no previous criminal record and was very co-operative from the outset, offering a guilty plea during her second appearance in court.

"I'm having trouble remembering a case where someone was more co-operative," said defence attorney Dan Rideout.

She had three letters of support, and her brother, son, and son's girlfriend were in attendance, offering their support. Her husband was out of town working.

Rideout said the woman and her husband were unemployed at the time. She had a recurring back problem, chronic bronchitis and asthma. Her trouble breathing was audible in the courtroom.

Rideout said her medical condition made it hard for her to work, so she resorted to drug dealing because she needed money.

"It appears to be an obvious bad decision that she's ashamed about," said Rideout.

Schmaltz reiterated that everyone has a choice, and drug dealing is an illegal one.

The woman's statement to the court was short and to-the-point.

"I'm very sorry. It will never happen again," she said.

Schmaltz said she believed the woman, but warned how serious things could get if she ran into trouble with the law again.

"Don't expect to be treated leniently again," the judge warned.

The woman's one day in jail was served by her court appearance and she has 10 months to pay her $1,500 fine, or work it off if she is able. She was also given a 10-year firearms prohibition.