A cannabis dealer sparked police attention after uploading a gun photo on Facebook, leading to his arrest. The police searched his home and found cannabis plants along with a shotgun. The court later heard that he had been dealing cannabis for years. Despite his past offenses, he avoided immediate jail time.
Police Raid After Facebook Post
Marc Dillon, 48, from Darlington, drew police attention when he posted a photo of a firearm on Facebook. Concerned about the presence of an illegal weapon, officers arrived at his home on December 2, 2022. Upon their arrival, Dillon attempted to flee but was quickly chased down and arrested.
Weapons and Drugs Discovered
During a search of Dillon’s home on Falmer Road, police found a shotgun along with multiple cannabis plants. When questioned, Dillon claimed that the firearm, an Umarex T4E 68 calibre air weapon, was used for paintballing. His barrister, Gary Wood, defended this statement, stating that the weapon was legally available for purchase and used to fire pepper balls rather than real bullets.
Cannabis Dealing and Criminal History
Dillon admitted to police that he had been smoking cannabis since he was 11 and that the plants found in his home were for personal use. However, officers also discovered packaged cannabis worth £4,730, which he admitted to selling to both dealers and users.
His criminal history includes a suspended sentence in 2016 for growing and selling cannabis. In 2020, he was caught with 18 cannabis plants and received a community order.
Courtroom Plea and Sentencing
Standing before Teesside Crown Court, Dillon’s lawyer pleaded for leniency, stating that he had never served time in prison before. He urged the judge to give him one final chance.
Judge Richard Bennett, however, was unimpressed, calling Dillon a “wholesale dealer of cannabis.” The judge noted that Dillon had been on benefits for over a decade, smoking cannabis for more than 30 years. A medical report also suggested that Dillon may suffer from PTSD due to a difficult childhood.
Despite his criminal past, Dillon avoided immediate imprisonment. Instead, he was sentenced to 12 months in prison, suspended for two years. He was also ordered to complete 30 rehabilitation days and attend a 12-month drug rehabilitation program to address his cannabis addiction.
Marc Dillon’s case highlights how social media activity can lead to serious legal consequences. His Facebook post attracted police attention, leading to a raid that uncovered his cannabis operation. Despite previous warnings, he continued dealing drugs, but the court has now given him another opportunity to reform. Whether he takes this chance or not remains to be seen.
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