A dealer caught with a "veritable candy store of drugs" worth up to £86,000 was snared in a police crackdown after a spate of narcotics-related student deaths.
James Newark was caught during a police operation into the supply of drugs following the deaths of three students in Newcastle in October 2020. While he was not directly linked to the deaths, information led police to his home in Gateshead.
Now the 21-year-old, who has no previous convictions, has been jailed for six years and eight months at Newcastle Crown Court after he admitted possessing high-purity cocaine, almost a kilo of MDMA and ketamine with intent to supply.
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Dr Chris Wood, prosecuting, told the court Newark's arrest last August came as part of an operation launched following the student deaths. He said: "With two universities in the city there's a large student population. Drug use in that population came to the forefront following the deaths of three students in October 2020, each death being drug-related.
"The investigation caused officers to attend the defendant's home in Pelaw, where he was the sole tenant. On police arriving and identifying themselves he tried to prevent officers from entering the property by trying to slam the door shut.
"Officers stopped him from being able to close the door and forced entry and the defendant ran in the living room and jumped over the sofa towards a table that contained packets of tablets and white powder. The table resembled a drug preparation station.
"Multiple bags were already made up and ready for distribution. Items seized included multiple self-seal bags found throughout the property, two scales, mobile phones a cutting agent and £55,000 in cash."
There was 234g of cocaine, some of which was 92% pure and worth between £17,800 and £35,600. There was 944g of MDMA, worth between £39,340 and £49,700 and 85g of ketamine worth between £940 and £1,140.
Judge Amanda Rippon said: "It was a veritable candy store of drugs."
When police examined his phone they found evidence of drug supply between August 2021 and August 2022, including adverts for various quantities of drugs, including ounces, and prices.
Jailing Newark, who lived at Galloway Road, Pelaw, at the time but latterly of Oak Terrace, Blaydon, Judge Rippon said: "You were arrested as part of an investigation into the supply of drugs in Newcastle, launched following the deaths of three university students. You were not responsible or linked to those deaths but that's why the investigation was launched.
"You are well aware, from your own experience, that drugs lead to dreadful behaviour. Those who are addicted to drugs commit a huge proportion of the crime judges have to deal with. They steal, they burgle, they lose control and hurt people and that's just the tip of the iceberg.
"People are abused in other countries to get the drugs into this country, organised crime groups are behind the drugs, people are trafficked in relation to the drugs - the harm when you involve yourself in the supply of drugs extends way behond your home and the people you directly supply. That's why it's so serious."
Rachel Hedworth, defending, said the money seized was savings given to him by his mother. She added: "At 18 he started to attend festivals and he had debts as a result of taking large amounts of drugs.
"He ended up in a position where matters spiralled completely out of control and one thing led to another. He was paying off drug debts and feeding his addiction.
"He is utterly remorseful. He has two hard-working parents, his mother was a district nurse and his father is a baker."
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