Owen Caris, a drug dealer from Gateshead, was jailed for 32 months after splashing out on expensive jewellery while claiming benefits. The 24-year-old, of Ferndene Grove, Ryton, was caught running a county lines drug dealing operation selling cocaine and cannabis.
Caught after mother gave police his phone number
Caris was using the same phone for drug dealing and personal calls, and had given it to the Department for Work and Pensions as a contact number. His mother provided the number to police, leading to his arrest.
Newcastle Crown Court heard that over 22 weeks, 10,221 bulk messages were sent from the number advertising cocaine and cannabis for sale. Caris arranged deals and directed other dealers supplying street users.
Luxury purchases while on benefits
Prosecutor Kevin Wardlaw said the value of drugs sold could be as much as £131,228 over the period, though it could be as low as £22,176 if all were cannabis. When arrested, Caris had a fake Rolex worth £1,000, a 9-carat gold necklace, chain and ring worth up to £12,000, and an iPhone worth £750.
Mr Wardlaw said: "He was on benefits at the time so those purchases were well in excess of his benefits are are attributed to his criminal activity."
Guilty plea and sentence
Caris, who has no previous convictions, pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of cocaine and cannabis between March and August last year. He said he was approached at age 14 or 15 to sell drugs and agreed again when struggling financially, being paid £200 a day.
The court heard he has autism and ADHD and previously worked as a forklift truck driver but was out of work. Rachel Hedworth, defending, said he had a difficult childhood and was previously stabbed.
