Drugs Offences
We have dealt with a large number of cases involving drugs. Our team of specialist solicitors have the experience and expertise to ensure that you receive the very best advice a representation available. We deal with drugs offences on a daily basis so please contact us for advice.
The law on drugs
The main offences involving drugs are:
- Possession of a controlled substance unlawfully.
- Possession of a controlled substance with intent to supply it.
- Supplying or offering to supply a controlled drug
- Allowing premises you occupy or manage to be used unlawfully for the purpose of producing or supplying controlled drugs.
Drugs classifications in England
Drugs have been put into three separate categories
by the Government:
Class A drugs
- Heroin
- Cocaine
- Crack Cocaine
- Ecstasy
- LSD
- Magic Mushrooms
- Amphetamines (if prepared for Injection)
Class B drugs
- Amphetamines
- Cannabis
Class C drugs
- Tranquilisers
- Ketamine
- Diazepam (unless prescribed by a Doctor)
Possession or supply (dealing) of drugs
The penalties for supply or possession of drugs depend on the category of the drug. The maximum penalties are outlined below.
Class A drugs
Possession: Up to seven years in prison or an unlimited fine, or both.
Supply: Up to life in prison or an unlimited fine, or both.
Class B drugs
Possession: Up to five years in prison or an unlimited fine, or both.
Supply: Up to 14 years in prison or an unlimited fine, or both.
Class C drugs
Possession: Up to two years in prison or an unlimited fine, or both.
Supply: Up to 14 years in prison or an unlimited fine, or both.
The actual sentence you're likely to get will also depend on a number of factors, including:
- The drug involved;
- Any previous criminal record;
- Your personal circumstances (i.e. being a single parent);
The offence of Cultivation of Cannabis
This is a specific offence under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, whereby it is an offence for anyone to grow any form of Cannabis plant, unless they have a license for Industrial production. Cultivation of Cannabis carries a maximum sentence of up to 14 years imprisonment or an unlimited fine, or both.
The offence of Producing Drugs
There is also a specific offence of Producing Drugs. This means being involved in manufacturing drugs. AThis offence carries the following penalties:
Class A
Class B
Class C
There are other offences involving drugs which are not listed here. For advice on any area of drugs law please contact us.
“Legal Highs” no longer legal
At midnight on the 25th of May 2016 a blanket ban on new psychoactive substances (NPS), so called “legal highs” came into force.
These types of drugs have been in the press regularly for the last few years due to their easy availability and the fact that a number of people have died after taking them.
NPS drugs are chemicals that give users similar effects to drugs such as cannabis and cocaine. They were previously legal and the law has had trouble keeping up with the new variants of these drugs as they appeared. For example, one such drug, Mephedrone was banned following the deaths of some users. However, because these drugs can be quickly created in the laboratory, slightly different re-synthesised versions of the banned drugs were being created to get around any previous drug specific ban.
The blanket ban has been created to stop the drugs creators from using this loophole to create new drugs.
It is now a criminal act to produce, distribute, sell and supply any of these drugs. Offenders can face up to seven years in prison under the Psychoactive Substances Act.
The new law will also enable the Police to shut down so called high street “Headshops”, shops which sell drug paraphernalia.
