Conspiracy to supply or import controlled drugs
Drug offences are taken very seriously by the courts. Conspiring to supply drugs can significantly impact an individual’s life. Your assets could be frozen whilst you’re under investigation and you could face a long prison sentence if convicted.
Being convicted of a conspiracy crime carries the same sentence as actually committing the crime, so even if a person didn’t actually supply any drugs they can still be charged and sentenced as if they had.
In simple terms a conspiracy is an agreement to commit a crime. People can be convicted of a conspiracy even if the illegal act that they agreed to did not take place. This can be extremely distressing for people, many of whom don’t realise they’re implicated in a conspiracy to supply drugs case. The broad nature of ‘conspiracy’ in the eyes of the law means innocent people can often be dragged into legal proceedings when they have no idea what’s going on. For example, a taxi driver who drives a drug courier or package to a location could be implicated in a conspiracy.
At Burton Copeland, our experienced team of drug defence lawyers understand the complications of this type of law and can help assist with the following type of charges:
- Conspiracy to supply class A drugs
- Conspiracy to supply class B drugs
- Conspiracy to supply class C drugs
- Conspiracy to produce a controlled drug
Conspiracy to import controlled drugs
Under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 it is illegal to import or export a controlled drug in the UK. Like conspiracy to supply drugs this offence carries very serious consequences. Many individuals can find themselves caught up in cases like this innocently.
A conspiracy to import drugs can happen in multiple locations and many people can become involved either through proximity to the drugs.. For example an innocent lorry driver who crosses a border and during a search of his vehicle drugs are found secreted in the cargo. Others are frequently prosecuted due to some other link for example:
- A forensic link such as fingerprints or DNA on drug packaging
- Links to vehicles either forensic or ANPR evidence showing the movement of vehicles, meetings of individuals etc.
- Surveillance – quite often when drugs are intercepted at a port. Law enforcement officers will allow the cargo to continue in order that they can conduct surveillance on it and uncover who it is destined for.
- Meetings or contact with conspirators where the prosecution alleges that the contact was in furtherance of the conspiracy. But, in reality they might relates to something else which was entirely innocent.
The charge of conspiracy to supply controlled drugs is serious and the the evidence is usually complex. It’s for these reasons that you should seek professional legal advice from a solicitor with vast experience in dealing with these types of cases.
To speak to a member of the Burton Copeland team for advice on a conspiracy to supply drug offence, you can either call us on 0161 827 9500 , or fill in our contact form and we will get back to you.
