Whitby Drug Dealer Jailed for Supplying Teens as Young as 14
Arron Jay Gantes, 22, has been slammed with a jail term of three years and eight months for selling illegal drugs to children in Whitby. The Northgate, Guisborough man ran a County Lines operation, pushing cocaine, cannabis, and ecstasy to youngsters as young as 14 through flashy mobile phone ads.
Police Crack Down After Drugs Found on Teen
The operation unraveled when officers stopped a teenager in Whitby in 2023 and found illegal drugs. This led to an investigation zeroing in on Gantes. A raid on his Guisborough home uncovered a haul of cannabis, cocaine, MDMA, cash, and drug-dealing kit including deal bags and scales.
Targeting Vulnerable Teens with Slick Branding
Gantes marketed his wares to 14- to 17-year-olds under names like “Thin Mints,” “Zour Skittles,” “Candy Haze,” and “Cookie Dawg.” Evidence showed he frequently travelled to Whitby to push his illegal ads. Shockingly, bank records revealed he raked in over £25,000 through suspicious third-party cash deposits despite no legitimate income.
Guilty Plea and Police Condemnation
Gantes pleaded guilty to seven offences including supplying cocaine and cannabis, possessing drugs to supply, and laundering criminal money. York Crown Court sentenced him on June 25, 2024.
“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 benefit,” said PC Rebecca Davison of Scarborough Response Team. “He is now facing the consequences of his actions. I hope his time in prison provides ample time for reflection on his lifestyle choices.”
Proceeds of Crime Hearing Set for October
A Proceeds of Crime hearing is scheduled for October 8 at York Crown Court. Judges will decide what happens to the money and assets seized from Gantes during the investigation.
