County lines drug offences are incredibly serious, and anyone convicted can expect to face severe penalties.
That being said, the exact punishment someone could receive if they are arrested for county lines can vary significantly depending on the circumstances of the case and whether there are any other factors to take into consideration.
Here, we discuss what county lines are, the penalties someone could face after being arrested for county lines and the defences that may be available for such an offence. Read below for more.
What are county lines?
County lines is the term used to describe the exploitation of children and vulnerable adults in order to traffic drugs between rural areas and cities.
Drug dealers and criminal networks set up dedicated mobile phone lines which serve the purpose of importing and exporting illegal drugs around the country. It is estimated that there are at least 2,000 individual deal lines in the UK, which are connected to a further 1,000 branded networks.
Children as young as 11 are recruited to move and store drugs and money for the gangs, being exploited to do so.
As county lines drug offences incorporate a range of criminal offences, prosecuting authorities can use a variety of laws to charge individuals on a case-by-case basis. These include charging someone for:
- Offences under the Modern Slavery Act 2015, such as slavery, servitude and forced or compulsory labour, human trafficking and exploitation
- Conspiracy to supply drugs
- Possession with intent to supply
- Gang injunctions under the Policing and Crime Act 2009 – for example, to prevent an individual from visiting particular places
- Firearms offences and other weapons offences – county lines criminal activity often involves weapons to tackle competition or to coerce vulnerable people into drugs trafficking
- Violence against Women and Girls offences – sexual exploitation and coercive control are also sometimes used to force county lines victims into becoming involved in drugs trafficking and gang activity, with women disproportionately being affected.
How are drugs pushed through county lines?
As mentioned, county lines drug deals typically involve the movement of drugs from urban areas into smaller towns or rural areas. While this occurs all over the country, the urban regions it is most prevalent in include areas covered by the Metropolitan Police Service, such as London, the West Midlands and Merseyside.
Gangs will usually target children or vulnerable individuals (such as those with mental health issues or addictions) to act as drug runners. They are recruited in order to stay under the radar of the police, being coerced or incentivised into complying.
The National Crime Agency (NCA) reports that the two drugs most commonly supplied through county lines are crack cocaine and heroin. As these drugs are of a highly addictive nature, they tend to guarantee a returning client base.
What is the punishment if you’re arrested for a county lines offence?
Because there are so many offences for which you can be charged with for county lines, there are also a range of potential penalties. As can be expected, the severity of the offence will be matched by the severity of the corresponding penalty, as well as various other factors. It is often the case that lengthy prison sentences are handed out for county lines offences.
Among the most common charges brought forward for county lines offences are conspiracy to supply. This offence can be handled in either the Magistrates’ Court or Crown Court, with the maximum penalties including life imprisonment.
County lines penalties also extend beyond drug charges. Being found guilty of operating a county lines scheme could lead to someone facing charges under the Modern Slavery Act.
The Modern Slavery Act could be used to cover offences which relate to arranging or facilitating the travel of another person for the purposes of exploitation. If someone is charged under the Modern Slavery Act, they could be tried in either the Magistrates’ Court or Crown Court, with the maximum sentence being ten years imprisonment or an unlimited fine.
If the offence involves kidnapping or false imprisonment, the charge could extend to life imprisonment.
What is cuckooing?
Cuckooing is a crime where an individual or gang exploit vulnerable people by taking control of a victim’s home and using the premises to store, prepare and distribute drugs as a part of a county lines operation.
Victims of cuckooing are usually targeted for a specific reason. They are often affected by drug and/or mental health problems already. Single parents, sex workers and those who live in poverty are also commonly targeted.
What happens if you’re victim to county lines exploitation?
If you are charged with a county lines offence, it may be possible to make a defence that you were the victim of exploitation rather than acting as a criminal of your own free will. This can apply to both children and vulnerable adults who are exploited into taking part in a county lines operation. This can be achieved through the Modern Slavery Act 2015 as the base for a defence.
Are there defences to county lines drug offences?
As mentioned above, if you are charged with a county lines offence, a defence may be able to be made that you were a victim of exploitation rather than carrying out a criminal act of your own free will.
Other defences may apply depending on your alleged involvement in a county lines drug operation. For example, it may be possible to put forward a defence that you have no knowledge the activities you were allegedly involved in were part of a criminal operation or that your property was being used for county lines drug offences.
Our county lines drugs solicitors understand all of the possible defence measures that can be taken for these defences, ensuring that no angle is overlooked.
What rights do you have if you are arrested for county lines drug dealing?
If you or someone you know has been arrested or invited to the police station to interview under caution, you will be entitled to legal advice. It is important to stress that seeking legal counsel does not signify guilt in any way and will not count against you if you are facing criminal charges.
It is essential that you do not answer any questions about an alleged offence until one of our county lines solicitors is present to advise and represent you. Anything you say can be used as evidence against you, which means that it is essential to wait for a solicitor to guide you through the full interview process.
Our county lines solicitors can attend police stations 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, in order to assist you.
How can our county lines solicitors help?
Conspiracy Solicitor is a trading style of Bird & Co Solicitors LLP, a firm that has been established in the East Midlands for over 30 years, working with clients across England and Wales.
Our criminal defence team is led by Christopher Milligan, who has over 200 years of combined experience, including extensive work on county lines drug offences, such as conspiracy to supply, county lines possession with intent and exploitation under the Modern Slavery Act 2015.
We are accredited by the Law Society for Criminal Litigation, recognising our expertise in all areas of criminal prosecutions, including those related to county lines drug offences.
As a firm, we also pride ourselves on our quality of client care, ensuring that we are there for you in your time of need. We have received the Law Society Lexcel Accreditation to reflect this.
We are independently regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA).
If you are accused of a county lines drug offence, our team can provide you with a straightforward approach that provides you with the strongest possible defence, while ensuring that you are clear about the details and process of your case at all times.
With our support, you can be sure that we will find the right strategy to secure the best possible result, no matter what your circumstances might be.
Contact our county lines solicitors today
Facing a charge for a county lines drug offence? Get in touch with our expert drug conspiracy defence lawyers now for advice or immediate representation.
To speak to our county lines solicitors, use our simple contact form to request a call back or contact us on one of the following numbers:
- Call 0333 009 5968 – for standard enquiries during office hours
- WhatsApp 07535 215140 – for 24/7 emergency support including police station representation