A drug dealer who targeted children as young as 14 with a sweetshop-style menu has been jailed.

Arron Jay Gantes has been sentenced to three years and eight months after peddling drugs in the seaside town of Whitby.

Gantes, 22, of Northgate, Guisborough, offered drugs including cocaine, cannabis and ecstasy (MDMA) to children in a County Lines operation that saw mass advertising of drugs via mobile phones, a court was told.

His enterprise was disrupted after officers stopped and searched a teenager in Whitby in 2023 who was found in possession of illegal drugs.(Image: North Yorkshire Police)

The subsequent investigation led officers to Gantes.

A warrant executed at his home in Guisborough led to the seizure of a large amount of cannabis, cocaine and MDMA, along with cash and drug dealing paraphernalia including deal bags and weighing scales.

The investigation showed that Gantes was targeting drug users aged 14 to 17 and laid out his offerings in a sweetshop-style menu including “thin mints”, “zour skittles” “candy haze” and “cookie dawg”.

Investigators were able to show that Gantes regularly travelled to Whitby following the broadcast of his illegal drug adverts.

The investigation also revealed that Gantes, with no legitimate means of income, was receiving regular third-party cash deposits into a bank account totalling over £25,000.

He was jailed at York Crown Court on Tuesday (June 25) after previously pleading guilty to seven offences.

Following sentencing, investigating officer, PC Rebecca Davison of Scarborough Response Team, said: “Gantes put greed before the wellbeing of vulnerable children. He knowingly sold dangerous and illegal drugs to them, putting their health and well-being at great risk, purely for his own benefit.

“He is now facing the consequences of his actions. I hope his time in prison provides ample time for reflection on his lifestyle choices.”

Gantes pleaded guilty to:

  • Being concerned in supply of cocaine
  • Possess with intent to supply cocaine
  • Possess with intent to supply cannabis
  • Being concerned in the supply of cannabis
  • Possess with intent to supply MDMA
  • Being concerned in the supply of ecstasy
  • Acquire/use / possess criminal property – this relates to the cash seized and the money in his bank account that officers believe was made through drug dealing.

An application under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 will take place at York Crown Court on 8 October, 10.30am, court room 1.

Advice and support for drug users including parents and carers concerned about a child Drink Drug Hub website drinkdrughub.co.uk

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North Yorkshire Rise– young people's specialist drug and alcohol service- freephone 08000 14 14 80 (option 2) – humankindcharity.org.uk/service/nyrise/

North Yorkshire Horizons- adult specialist drug and alcohol service - freephone 08000 14 14 80 – nyhorizons.org.uk/

FRANK helpline and information - https://www.talktofrank.com/