Cannabis dealer urged to prove he can become a 'better person'

21-year-old's criminality revealed after father's arrest

An Onchan man has been told to prove that he can become ‘a better person than a drug dealer’ after being handed a suspended prison sentence.

Joseph Christopher Parker, of Hillberry View, was sentenced at Douglas Courthouse after admitting being concerned in the supply of cannabis between November 2021 and September 2022.

The 21-year-old was arrested on 3 September last year after police raided his father’s home, on Fairfield Avenue in Onchan, as part of Operation Artemis.

Christopher Parker was found with 13.5 kilos of cannabis, which had a street value of £288,948, and more than £33,000 in cash.

The 44-year-old was later jailed for five years for his part in a major drug trafficking operation.

As part of the police investigation officers seized Joseph Parker's mobile phone; analysis of the device showed he was supplying small amounts of cannabis, frequently, to friends and associates.

“Cannabis is not, as many people think, a lifestyle drug – it is a dangerous drug.” – Deemster Graeme Cook

The prosecutor told the court he was operating ‘towards the lower end of the chain’ but was aware of the wider drug operation in which his father was involved.  

Parker’s advocate described the relationship between the father and son as a ‘toxic environment’ adding his client, who had no previous convictions, had lost his job as a result of these proceedings.

Imposing a 12-month custodial sentence, suspended for 18 months, Deemster Graeme Cook told Parker: “Through, effectively, your father’s criminality you were arrested.

“Drug dealing on this Island is wrong – drug dealing anywhere is wrong.”

Telling Parker he was giving him an opportunity to change the deemster added: “Take advantage of that Mr Parker. Show them you can be a better person than a drug dealer.”

Parker will also be the subject of an 18-month Suspended Sentence Supervision Order.