Conspiracy to Supply Class B Drugs

Our team speak a variety of languages and we also work with a number of accredited interpreters, so we can offer clear legal advice in any language. We are available around the clock for immediate advice and representation for clients across England and Wales, so you can always get the very best legal support when you need it.

For a free initial consultation on dealing with a charge of conspiracy to supply class B drugs, please contact our local offices in London, Birmingham or Manchester.

Need immediate legal support for a conspiracy to supply class B drugs arrest? Our accredited Police Station Representatives and solicitors are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year using the emergency numbers listed at the top of the page.

Our expertise with drug conspiracy charges

For many years, we have been regarded as leading experts in defending clients against all types of drug conspiracy charges. Our criminal defence lawyers can offer their seasoned expertise to ensure your case is handled effectively from your first contact with the police through every stage of any subsequent criminal proceedings. We can also advise you before you come into contact with the police, if you have concerns about potential arrests or charges.

We can provide expert representation in police investigations involving all types of class B drugs, including:

• Amphetamines
• Barbiturates
• Cannabis
• Codeine
• Ketamine
• Methylphenidate (Ritalin)
• Synthetic cannabinoids
• Synthetic cathinones (e.g. mephedrone)

With a detailed understanding of UK drug laws and conspiracy offences, our team will consider all relevant factors and defence options. We have particular expertise in accurately valuing any drugs involved in an alleged offence, which is often critical to making sure any potential penalties are appropriate.

Our team is also highly skilled in analysing complex presentations of data by the prosecution, including telephone records, cell site analysis, text messages and other types of communication that may exist between you and others. With access to leading experts and analysts, we are frequently able to find flaws in the prosecution’s use of evidence and even discover fresh evidence to support your case.

We work alongside many of the UK’s leading criminal defence barristers specialising in conspiracy to supply class B drugs prosecutions, including conspiracy to supply cannabis, so if your case goes to trial, we can ensure you always have the best available representation.

What to do if you are arrested for conspiracy to supply class B drugs

If you are arrested for conspiracy to supply class B drugs, or any other offence, you need to know your legal rights to help ensure you do not say or do anything which could harm your defence. Any mistakes you make at this early stage can be difficult to recover from later.

The following are the 4 key points you should keep in mind:

1. You do not have to answer any questions asked by the police. Whether to do so or not requires a thorough understanding of your case and how the criminal justice system works. Legal advice should be taken before you say anything.
2. You should never answer any police questions without a solicitor present.
3. You have the right to free legal representation.
4. You can use the duty solicitor available or choose your own lawyer.

At the point of arrest, the arresting officers must tell you the specific offences you are accused of committing and they must caution you using the words:

“You do not have to say anything. But it may harm your defence if you do not mention when questioned something which you later rely on in court. Anything you do say may be given in evidence.”

After a police interview, there are various potential outcomes, including:

• Being released with no further action
• Being released under investigation
• Being detained in custody
• Being charged with a specific offence

If you are charged with an offence connected to the supply of class B drugs:

• A hearing date will be set, and
• You will either be:
  • Released on bail
  • Kept in custody until your court hearing

Even if you are released with no further action or under investigation, you can still be rearrested or summonsed to attend a court hearing at any time.

What amounts to conspiracy to supply drugs?

The offence of conspiracy to supply class B drugs applies when to or more people make an agreement to carry out a course of action that would, if carried out, involve the supply of class B drugs.  It is also necessary for each party to the agreement to know the main circumstances, intend that the course of action carried out and to play some part in achieving that themselves.

You do not need to be involved in actually supplying the drugs to be charged with conspiracy. Simply being involved with making the plan is enough to attract charges, as long as there was a genuine intent on your part to carry out the plan. It follows that it does not need to be carried out for you to be charged; the offence is in the agreement.

Unfortunately, it is all too easy for innocent people to be caught up in drugs conspiracies e.g. where a premises they own is used in the offence without their knowledge. Showing that you lacked knowledge of the conspiracy or were only minimally involved can be key to helping you avoid prosecution or minimise any potential criminal penalties.

Penalties for conspiracy to supply class B drugs

The exact sentence you could receive for conspiracy to supply Class B drugs will depend on various factors, including:

• The value and quantity of the drugs involved in the offence
• Your role in the criminal conspiracy

Conspiracy to supply drugs sentencing guidelines dictate that, if your case is heard in Magistrates’ Court, the maximum sentence is a fine of up to £5,000 or up to 6 months’ imprisonment. Only if your case is heard in Crown Court will the maximum sentence of 14 years’ imprisonment or an unlimited fine apply.

Whether you are convicted of an offence or not, you could still be subject to a Restraint Order, preventing you from accessing your bank accounts and other assets beyond what is required to meet your basic living costs.

After conviction, you could also find yourself facing an application for a Confiscation Order under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (PoCA).  Confiscation Orders can allow for your assets to be confiscated if you are unable to prove that they were not acquired through legitimate means.

What is the maximum prison sentence for supplying a Class B drug?

The maximum possible sentence for conspiracy to supply class B drugs is 14 years imprisonment or an unlimited fine. This is only where the case is heard in the Crown Court. If it is only held in the Magistrates’ Court, the maximum prison sentence is six months.

What defence is there against a charge of conspiracy to supply class B drugs?

Your defence options will depend entirely on the circumstances. Taking advice from our specialist drug offences defence team at the earliest opportunity can help to ensure all relevant factors are considered, your account can be considered, and the strongest defence can be prepared for you based on your account.

If you deny involvement in the alleged offence, we can review the police and prosecution case, including the evidence relied upon, to identify any flaws. We can also look at evidence, including witness testimony, that can be used to prove your innocence. This can include everything from mobile phone evidence and financial records to CCTV footage, DNA evidence, fingerprint evidence and witness testimony as required.

If you wish to plead guilty to conspiracy to supply class B drugs, we can advise you on the best strategy to help minimise any sentence. For example, if we can show that you only played a limited and/or subordinate role in the offence, this will usually lead to a significantly reduced sentence. Making sure the drugs involved in the offence are accurately valued and quantified can also make a significant difference as police and prosecutors often overestimate the street value of drugs.

Whatever your situation, our expert criminal defence solicitors have the skills and experience to give you the best chance of avoiding charges, securing a not guilty verdict or facing lesser penalties as appropriate.

Contact our drug defence lawyers today

For a free initial consultation, urgent specialist advice, immediate representation or to speak to us confidentially about an arrest or charges related to conspiracy to supply class B drugs, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

You can contact our dedicated criminal defence lawyers in London, Birmingham, and Manchester by telephone on:

• Brent & Camden London Office: 02076 247771
• Manchester Office: 01618 351638
• Birmingham Office: 01216 143333
• City of London: 02076 247771 (our senior Solicitors and Partners can meet by appointment in the City)

Or email: solicitors@jdspicer.co.uk

Alternatively, you can fill out our quick online enquiry form, and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

24/7 legal representation for conspiracy to supply class B drugs charges

Please get in touch for a free initial consultation with one of our expert criminal defence solicitors, as well as immediate representation and advice on dealing with an arrest or charges connected to conspiracy to supply class B drugs.

We are available to represent clients all over England and Wales at any time, so please contact our Emergency Number: 07836 577556.

This document does not constitute legal advice.