Who can be prosecuted for conspiracy to commit a drugs offence?
To be prosecuted for conspiracy to commit a drugs offence, the police or another agency will normally need to have evidence that appears to link you to planning an action or actions that led or could have led to a drugs offence being committed.
Interpreting what it means to be involved in a conspiracy can be complex and means it is possible for people to get caught up in conspiracy charges through no fault of their own.
For example, in one case our team handled, our client was charged on the basis that paperwork relating to them was found at the scene when police seized a large quantity of drugs. This led police to believe our client was involved in the operation, but we were ultimately able to have our client acquitted of all charges at trial.
What drugs are class B in the UK?
Currently the following drugs are scheduled as class B in the UK:
- Amphetamines
- Barbiturates
- Cannabis
- Codeine
- Ketamine
- Methylphenidate (Ritalin)
- Synthetic cannabinoids
- Synthetic cathinones (e.g. mephedrone)
What sentence will I receive for supplying Class B drugs?
For conspiracy to supply class B drugs, the sentencing guidelines will give you an idea of the sentence length you are likely to receive, but exactly what sentence you will receive if convicted will depend on the specifics of your case. This includes what, if anything, you plead guilty to and/or what the prosecution can successfully prove in court.
What are the sentencing guidelines for conspiracy to supply class B drugs in the UK?
The maximum sentence you can receive for conspiracy to supply class B drugs will depend on the circumstances of the case and whether it is prosecuted in Magistrates’ Court or Crown Court.
In Magistrates’ Court, the maximum sentence for conspiracy to supply class B drugs can include either or both:
- A fine of up to £5,000
- Up to 6 months’ imprisonment
In Crown Court, the maximum sentence for conspiracy to supply class B drugs can include either or both:
- An unlimited fine
- Up to 14 years imprisonment
You can also be issued with a Restraint Order, which will restrict your access to your assets to only what is required to cover your basis living costs. On top of this you are likely to face Confiscation Proceedings allowing the state to recover the proceeds of any criminal activity of which you are found guilty.
What affects a sentence for conspiracy to supply class B drugs?
Sentencing for conspiracy to supply class B drugs will normally take into account a number of factors, including:
- The quantity and value of class B drugs involved in the case.
- If you plead guilty and, if so, how early in proceedings you did so.
- What role you played within the conspiracy.
- Your awareness/understanding of the conspiracy you were involved with.
- What period of time you were involved in the conspiracy for.
- Any previous convictions you hold.
- Whether you were influenced by pressure, intimidation or coercion to take part in the conspiracy.
Our drug conspiracy solicitors will ensure that all relevant factors are taken into account during court proceedings, giving you the best chance of achieving a fair sentence if you are convicted of conspiracy with intent to supply class B drugs.
Conspiracy to supply class B drugs case study
When it comes to conspiracy with intent to supply class B drugs, cases are on the rise. In 2015/16 we represented a number of defendants charged with conspiracy to supply class A and class B drugs, specifically cocaine and heroin (class A) and mephedrone and amphetamine (class B).
The case involved the sourcing and distribution of more than £1million worth of narcotics as part of long-established relationships with other organised crime groups in Manchester and Nottingham.
Our defence team analysed thousands of pages of evidence relating to all thirteen defendants, representing our clients all the way to the Court of Appeal.
Read more.
Funding your defence against conspiracy to supply class B drugs charges
Police station representation
You are entitled to receive legal advice free of charge at a police station or other place of detention when arrested by police, customs or the National Crime Agency (NCA) or if voluntarily attending an interview under caution.
This entitlement is not means tested and is available to everyone. You have the choice of either using the available duty solicitor at the police station or choosing your own legal representation.
When facing serious charges related to conspiracy to supply drugs, we recommend using our our specialist drug conspiracy solicitors right from the interview stage to ensure your case is handled in the best way for your overall defence from the outset.
Legal aid for court proceedings
You may also be able to apply for legal aid in the form of a Representation Order from the Criminal Defence service when being prosecuted in Magistrates’ Court or Crown Court.
When prosecuted in Magistrates’ Court you will need to pass a means test and a merit test to establish whether you genuinely cannot afford to fund your own defence and if funding your legal defence is “in the Interests of Justice”.
For Crown Court prosecutions, a means test will be used to work out how much of your defence costs you will need to pay yourself. If you are found not guilty, any payments you have made towards your defence costs will be refunded with interest.
Find out more about funding your legal defence.
Why choose Conspiracy Solicitor for your case?
Conspiracy Solicitor is a trading style of Bird and Co Solicitors LLP, a leading East Midlands law firm that has been supporting clients all over England and Wales for over 30 years.
Our specialist criminal defence team, led by Senior Partner Christopher Milligan, has over 200 years of combined experience, with particular expertise in conspiracy to supply class B drugs cases.
We are accredited by the Law Society for Criminal Litigation, recognising our expertise in all areas of criminal prosecutions.
We understand that these types of charges are extremely concerning, so aim to make proceedings as clear and straightforward as possible for you, while ensuring you have the strongest legal defence available.
We will explain the situation and your legal options to you in plain English, then make sure you are kept up-to-date at all times about the progress of your case so you can have complete confidence in your criminal defence team.
How to transfer your case to Conspiracy Solicitor
Experienced, specialist legal representation can make all the difference when facing such serious and complex charges as conspiracy to supply drugs. Due to our knowledge of the nuances of the law in this area and the high level of skill our criminal defence team are able to bring to proceedings, we are often able to secure a better outcome than less experienced, non-specialist criminal defence lawyers.
For this reason, even if you already have legal representation you could benefit from transferring your case to our specialists in conspiracy to supply drugs offences.
If you have not yet been granted legal aid (i.e. a “Representation Order”) to cover the cost of your legal defence, retaining us to represent you should be relatively straightforward and we will be happy to talk you through the process if required.
In the event that legal aid has already been granted, you may be able to transfer this to us under the following circumstances:
- Your existing solicitor has had to withdraw from the case e.g. for professional reasons such as a conflict of interest or personal reasons such as illness.
- Your relationship with your current legal team has completely broken down e.g. where your solicitor has given you wrong advice that has harmed your interests.
- Where another “substantial compelling” reason to change representation exists – however what constitutes such a reason is entirely in the hands of the judge.
Find out more about transferring your case to Conspiracy Solicitors.
Contact Conspiracy Solicitor now
For immediate expert legal representation from our team of specialist criminal defence solicitors and dedicated criminal conspiracy defence lawyers, you can 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
