DRUG SUPPLY AND DEALING

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Are you facing a drug offence charge? In this complex area of the law it is crucial that you seek the expert help of a legal team with extensive experience. Contacting Lincoln Lawrence Solicitors today on 020 3917 9999 to discuss your case could make the difference to its outcome.

What are the laws around illegal drugs in the UK?

Street prices of drugs in the UK are among the highest in Europe, meaning the UK illegal drugs market is extremely attractive to criminals.

The commercial distribution of drugs is the most lucrative stage in the process, from the cultivation and production of the drug to the point of final consumption. If you are found guilty of supplying or possessing illegal drugs, the penalties can be severe and the consequences life-changing.

What are the most serious drug offences in the UK?

Whilst drug dealing and the supply of drugs are not considered to be as serious as drug trafficking, both criminal offences still carry a significant sentence and will inevitably impact on every aspect of your life.

As in all drug offence cases, the punishment will depend on aggravating factors, including the defendant’s culpability, plus the quantity and type of the drug.

The complexity of the law means it is essential to seek expert legal advice as early as possible in police investigations to ensure your case is considered in detail. As experts working on your case we will try to obtain the most favorable result on your behalf.

What does supplying mean under UK law?

The law in the UK regarding dealing or supply of drugs surrounds the intention of passing a controlled substance to someone else. This means that even if you are simply passing a cannabis cigarette joint between friends, you can be found liable and face consequences. Buying drugs and sharing them between friends would be considered social supply for instance and the consequences if found guilty can still be serious.

The intention (whether for personal use only, which must be proven) and classification of the drugs supplied will influence whether the magistrates’ court or Crown Court deals with your case.

Drugs offences are categorized as ‘either-way’ offences, meaning cases can be heard in either the magistrates’ court or the Crown Court and they can vary greatly in severity. Magistrates make the initial decision about whether a case is so serious that it should be heard in the Crown Court.

What types of drug offences are there?

Criminal offences committed under the Misuse of Drugs Act include:

• Possession of a controlled drug
• Possession with intent to supply another
• Supplying another with a controlled drug
• Offering to supply another with a controlled drug
• The production, cultivation or manufacture of controlled drugs
• The import or export of controlled drugs
• Allowing premises you own, occupy or manage to be used for the consumption of certain controlled drugs, or supply or production of any controlled drug

What are the classifications of drugs?

The Misuse of Drugs Act specifies three classes of illegal drugs:

• Class A drugs:

Heroin, cocaine, crack cocaine, ecstasy, LSD, methadone, methamphetamine (crystal meth), magic mushrooms

• Class B drugs:

Amphetamine (other than methamphetamine), barbiturates, codeine, ketamine, synthetic cannabinoids such as Spice and cannabis, cathinone derivatives, including mephedrone

• Class C drugs:

Anabolic steroids, mild tranquillizers, benzodiazepines, GBL and GHB, khat and BZP

What are the types of offences around supplying drugs?

The offence of supplying drugs will be separated into one of five categories by law:

• Actual supply
• Aggravated supply that has surrounding circumstances
• An offer to supply
• Involvement or concern in supply
• Possession with intent to supply

The overall sentence will also be determined by factors such as the quality and quantity of drugs and whether dealing has been cited as part of a larger operation.

In a larger operation, the court will then assess what role you have taken – that of leadership, significant or lesser involvement – to determine your sentence.

What should you do if you are accused of drug offences?

If you have been charged with a drug offence you should immediately seek expert legal advice. To help you through the process, it is best to gain legal advice from specialist drug offence solicitors as soon as possible so that all the contributing factors leading up to a police investigation are considered and can be presented fairly in court.

IT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT THAT YOU SEEK LEGAL ADVICE WITHOUT DELAY.  CONTACT US IMMEDIATELY TO ARRANGE FOR A FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION. CALL 020 3917 9999 OR EMAIL web@lincolnlawrence.com