Woman pleads not guilty in Felton drug case

By Stephen Baxter - Santa Cruz Sentinel
Posted: 03/02/2011 06:44:31 PM PST
Updated: 03/02/2011 06:46:19 PM PST


SANTA CRUZ - Edwina Hardy, the 53-year-old woman linked to a suspected drug house on Felton Empire Road, pleaded not guilty to drug charges in Santa Cruz Superior Court on Wednesday.

She is charged with possession of drugs for sale, and a preliminary hearing is set for March 14 to determine if there is enough evidence for a trial, Judge Paul Burdick ruled.

Hardy, who sheriff's deputies said is an Australian national in the country illegally, was arrested Feb. 22 during a traffic stop near Kirby and Gushee streets in Felton, authorities said. Deputies said they found 18 grams of cocaine, 13 grams of meth packaged for sale, a scale and $700 cash.

In court Wednesday, Hardy appeared in red jail clothes and took several deep breaths during her plea. She also winked and smiled at her partner, Jack Smith, in the gallery.

Smith, 74, also was arrested on Feb. 22 for being a felon in possession of ammunition, but was released from jail.

Smith owns the house on the 100 block of Felton Empire Road, and lived in a mobile home with Hardy about a block away on Kirby Street, authorities said.


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