A ‘hippy crack’ dealer who was caught with Christmas party bags containing laughing gas alongside balloons and candy canes has been jailed for 35 months in what is believed to be the first conviction of its type in the UK.
Thomas Salton, 30, was found with about 60 small nitrous oxide canisters, 48 one-gram bags of ketamine and £39,000 cash when officers pulled his Range Rover over on December 1.
A further 408 nitrous oxide canisters and 965 grams of ketamine were later found at a property Salton was renting 10 miles from his home.
Police said that Salton was in midst of a plan to supply a Christmas party with these drugs. Amongst the seized items was a ‘naughty and nice’ list of customers who wanted party bags with drugs in and those who did not.
Those on the naughty list would receive a gift bags with drugs and be required to sign a non-closure document.
At Basildon Crown Court on January 8, he admitted possession with intent to supply controlled drugs at Class B and C.
He denied possession with intent to supply a controlled drug at Class A, instead admitting to a simple possession charge. He also admitted possessing criminal property.
Today, he was sentenced to 35 months in jail in a landmark conviction.
‘Hippy crack’ laughing gas dealer Thomas Salton has been jailed for 35 months in what is the first conviction of its type in the UK
DS Stephen Robson said: ‘Our investigation placed Salton in the midst of large-scale supply to customers within the party scene in Essex. He was found to be holding large quantities of Class B and Class C drugs separated for supply purposes.
‘Our later enquiries at his business lockup demonstrated the preparation behind this operation, with large quantities of illicit drugs stored for later packaging and supply in smaller quantities.
‘This was clearly an organised operation, with Salton even going to the lengths of drafting a non-disclosure agreement for his customers to sign.
‘This level of detail and organisation provided us with exactly the evidence we needed to prove his role in an illicit drug supply operation. It is perhaps easy for people to think that consuming these drugs at a party is harmless.
‘In reality it is this market which lies behind the serious violence and exploitation of vulnerable people which goes hand-in-hand with illegal drug supply.’
Last November, nitrous oxide was classified as a Class C drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.
Under the legislation, users could face up to two years in prison for possession, while those convicted of supply could face up to 14 years.
Last November, nitrous oxide was classified as a Class C drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (file image)
Alex Hinds, a prosecutor for CPS East of England, said: ‘The evidence against Thomas Salton was overwhelming and this case is an example of all parts of the justice system working together to get drugs and those who sell them off the streets.
‘The change in the law coupled with the actions of the police has allowed the CPS to present the strongest case in court and put Thomas Salton out of business and into prison.
‘Nitrous oxide is a dangerous drug and hopefully this first conviction will deter those thinking of buying or selling it.’