York drug dealer jailed for importing Ecstasy from the Netherlands

A long-running investigation into a Class A drug dealer from York has resulted in a near six-year prison sentence.

Daniel Richard Arthur (pictured), aged 33, of Langwith Stray, Heslington, was jailed for five years and 10 months at York Crown Court on Monday 24 January 2022.

 

He had previously pleaded guilty to the importation, offering to supply and attempting to possess the Class A controlled drug MDMA – more commonly known as Ecstasy - between 14 February 2017 and 14 October 2018.

Arthur was involved in ordering large amounts of MDMA tablets from the Netherlands. 

Unfortunately for him, the Border Force intercepted two shipments at Heathrow on 21 September and 7 November 2018.

250 tablets were seized in the first and 102 tablets in the second.

Detectives in York were able to trace the packages to Arthur’s home address where further MDMA tablets were recovered.

He was arrested and a complex investigation was launched to secure the charges against him.

Throughout this time, Arthur refused to provide the access code to his phone which delayed the gathering of crucial evidence.

Digital forensic experts had to work around this hurdle to obtain records of the defendant, and this proved pivotal in securing the charges against him.

Detective Constable Darren May, who led the investigation, said: “The outcome at court is very satisfying and demonstrates the collaborative efforts between the Border Force and North Yorkshire Police to take action against Class A drug dealers such as Daniel Arthur.

“He maintained that he was supplying the drugs to an immediate group of friends and work colleagues, and not to the wider public.

“The court did not accept Arthur’s version of events as the evidence overwhelmingly showed that he was a commercial dealer of Ecstasy.

“Drugs wreck lives and taking Ecstasy can have fatal consequences, sometimes following the consumption of just one pill.

“We will not stand by and allow this to happen.”

 

Reporting information about drug-related crime

Anyone with any information about suspected drug-related crime are urged to contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 1, and speak to the Force Control Room.

Always dial 999 if an emergency response is required.

If you would prefer to remain anonymous, please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or make a report online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org. 

 

The signs of drug dealing can include

• Increased callers at a property at all times of the day or night
• Increase in cars pulling up for short periods of time
• Antisocial behaviour at a property
• Not seeing the resident for long periods of time
• Drug-related rubbish – small plastic bags, syringes
• Windows covered or curtains closed for long periods

 

Get help for drug addiction

• North Yorkshire Horizons - adult specialist drug and alcohol service - freephone 08000 14 14 80 –uk/
• North Yorkshire Rise– young people's specialist drug and alcohol service- freephone 08000 14 14 80 (option 2) – uk/service/nyrise/
• City of York Drug and Alcohol Service - 01904 464 680 - changing-lives.org.uk/services/drug-alcohol/york-drug-alcohol-support-services/
• NHS -uk/live-well/healthy-body/drug-addiction-getting-help/
• FRANK helpline and information - https://www.talktofrank.com/