88 
The world’s worst drug dealer was up in court today over his actions at Halloween, which saw him give a couple of unfortunate children cocaine rather than the more traditional sweets. But, it’s all fine, because it was an “honest mistake” ‘guv, and he just mistook the coke for Haribo. Easily done, no doubt.
The sorry tale, in case you don’t remember, is that a few children out trick-or-treating in Oldham found an extra-special powder in their treat-bags that was a bit more potent than sherbert — cocaine. Apparently the offender, a one Donald Junior Green, had stuck it into their bags when they knocked on the door, thinking it was Haribo. (This begs the question, how high must he have already been to be giving away free drugs?)
Still, having been arrested, he coughed to possession of drugs; his solicitor described his actions as “grossly foolhardy but none-the-less accidental; he did not set out to commit a crime and did try to put it right.” Well, that makes it all ok then — just as long as he tried to put it right.
Is it just me who feels a tad aggreived that he’s only being charged with possession of drugs, rather than something more serious? I mean, he gave drugs to small children! Just imagine what would’ve happened if they’d sampled their unsolicited treats; if you think 4-year-olds are bad when they’re all stoked up on sugar, I can’t imagine class-A narcotics would be any better for their temprament. [BBC]
Image credit: Cocaine from Shutterstock
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It’s the law. Opinion doesn’t come into it, really. He has obviously proven it was an accident, therefore its possession and not dealing. To change the law, and make accidental ‘dealing’ come under dealing, then people who make simple mistakes will be punished so much harder.
Could it be dealing if no money changes hands? No transaction took place. I’m sure there is some sort of other law available though like conspiracy to commit attempted assault. Where’s the resident policeman Delito when you need him…
Well, precisely. It would be very hard to determine some sort of motive in this case, the prosecutors would have to whip out unrelated charges like paedophilia or rape, to even get anywhere near dealing.
Perhaps ‘whip out’ was the wrong expression in the context of paedophillia.
You, sir, have a dirty mind.
As I’m aware, even giving your friends free drugs can be classified as dealing.
@sabretoooth I would think you are right because by giving it away you are potentially starting their addiction. It’s like a free voucher to get you to try the brand, which you will love and come back for more.
nope, thankfully never been interested in it
these days I think the internet is more of an addiction than drugs are
Depends how many ‘haribos’ I’ve had beforehand
TUT TUT HOW DO I REACH THESE KIDS !!!!!!
It’s “keedz”, actually.
AH! thank you kind sir….
It’s almost like it’s a bad idea to send kids round strangers houses begging for free sweets.
You are supposed to follow them around, no?
Still doesn’t seem like a great idea
Give me a gram of each and I’ll let you know in an hour.
http://youtu.be/eoX6l6klziU
Well, cocaine didn’t have one of the worst TV adverts of all time.
Surely they could have gotten him with possession with intent? or some sort on endangerment charge, I haven’t followed the case all that closely but only possession? Seems a bit lax.
Given that he didn’t “intend” to provide it, and simply cocked up, he can only be charged with possession. I can’t imagine someone would deliberately give two hundred quids worth of cocaine away for the fun of it.
He was presumably polite, respectful and remorseful, and that goes a long way. Sometimes people make mistakes.
Can You Tell the Difference Between Haribo and Cocaine?
Yep, and that picture is neither.
Kids wouldn’t have done anything with it. Cocaine tastes absolutely awful. One of them would have put a little on their tongue (which doesn’t really get absorbed systemically) and would have immediately thrown it away.
And how do you know about that? I don’t remember my teachers ever teaching about how cocaine taste like.
It’s very bitter, and tastes a bit like strychnine (would NOT recommend that in high dosages, look it up).
Work in a chemistry lab for a few years and you come in contact with a lot of substances.
I’m pretty sure 80% paracetamol and teething powder does the same thing to a child as is does to an adult… I think.