Can you bring steroids into the UK?

Our lawyers speak a variety of languages and we also work with a number of accredited interpreters, so our team can offer clear legal advice in any language. We represent clients across England and Wales round the clock, meaning that whenever you need expert legal support for a steroid importation charge, we are here for you.

For a free initial consultation on dealing with a charge of importation of steroids, please contact our local offices in London, Birmingham or Manchester.

Need immediate legal support for an importation of steroids 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 importation of steroids charges

For more than 40 years, our criminal defence solicitors have defended clients against all types of drug offence charges, including importation of steroids. We therefore have the specialist experience needed to handle your case effectively from your very first contact with police through to trial and appeals where necessary.

With a highly detailed understanding of UK drug laws, we can ensure no possible angle, defence or other relevant factor is overlooked. Our tactical and strategic understanding of the law and how the criminal justice system works, provides us with a crucial tool to enable us to provide full and effective representation. This expertise means we can increase your chances of avoiding charges or receiving the minimum possible sentence on conviction.

Our team has an established relationship with many of the UK’s leading criminal defence barristers specialising in importation of steroids prosecutions, so if your case does go to trial, we can guarantee you the best available defence team.

What to do if you are arrested for importation of steroids

If you are arrested for importation of steroids, you need to know your basic legal rights. This can help you avoid the risk of saying or doing anything that could undermine your defence.

The following four key points are always worth keeping 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 saying 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.

When arresting you, 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 for an importation of steroids offence, you could be:

• Released with no further action
• Released under investigation
• Detained in custody
• Charged with a specific offence

If you are charged with importation of steroids:

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

If you are released with no further action or under investigation, you could be rearrested or summonsed to attend a court hearing at any time.

Is it legal to import steroids into the UK?

It is legal to bring steroids into the UK if you are doing so for your own personal use and if you bring the drugs in yourself i.e. you physically carry them into the country yourself when returning from abroad.

However, if you are importing steroids to supply to others (whether for profit or simply sharing with friends) this is an offence. It is also an offence to have drugs imported for you by a third party, which includes ordering steroids online.

Whether any steroids you bring into the country yourself will be considered to be for personal use will depend on various factors, including the quantity of drugs you are carrying.

Penalties for importation of steroids

The maximum penalty on conviction for importation of steroids is 14 years imprisonment or an unlimited fine. Exactly what sentence you could receive will depend on various factors, including:

• The value of the steroids imported
• Your role in the offence

The higher the value of the steroids, the higher the potential sentence. If you are considered to have been acting as part of a criminal conspiracy to import steroids, then your sentence will also depend on the level of your involvement. If you are considered to have played a substantial and/or leading role, your sentence will likely be much more severe than if you are found to have played a minor and/or subordinate role in the conspiracy.

What defence is there against importation of steroids charges?

One of the most common defences against an importation of steroids charge is that the steroids in question are for your personal use. If you brought the steroids into the country yourself and can prove they are for personal use, this can see you avoid criminal charges.

If you are accused of involvement in a criminal conspiracy to import steroids, establishing your innocence, or that you only played a minor role, is often key to your defence. Achieving this may rely on various types of evidence, including mobile phone data, financial records, CCTV footage, DNA evidence, fingerprint evidence and witness testimony as required.

Thanks to our specialist expertise with these serious and complex charges, our criminal defence solicitors can ensure any flaws in the case against you are identified and that your defence is constructed and presented effectively, giving you the best chance of avoiding charges or securing the minimum available sentence.

Contact our importation of steroids 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 importation of steroids, 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: 020 7624 7771
• Manchester Office: 0161 835 1638
• Birmingham Office: 0121 614 3333
• City of London: 0207 624 7771 (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 importation of steroids offences

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 importation of steroids.

We are available to represent clients all over England and Wales at any time, so please contact our Emergency Number: 07836 577 556.

This page does not constitute legal advice.