The drug industry is an ugly one for which there are no winners, from those who consume controlled drugs, to those who supply them.
Drug offences are serious crimes and often result in immediate custodial sentences hence why expert legal advice is essential.
The current sentencing guidelines came into force on 1 April 2021 and these can be complex.
Our team of advocates routinely defend drug offences, including County Lines cases, and so have experience and expertise in this area.
Notable cases
Advocacy team
About the case
The Defendant was charged with 12 others with offences of conspiracy to supply cocaine and money laundering. The prosecution alleged that this was a large conspiracy involving supply to much of the east coast of England and that AA and his brother were the ring leaders, involving supply of up to 30 kilos of cocaine over a period of six months. The conspiracy involved the use of encrypted ‘encro’ phones as well as ‘tumbler’ phones, phones that changed the phones identity IMEI code on each call. The police set up mobile surveillance of a large number of defendants and over 54,000 pages of evidence was served. Due to covid restrictions the defendant was only tried with his brother. The brother pleaded guilty on day 1 of the trial and so the defendant was tried alone on a case that lasted 6 weeks. He was convicted and sentenced to 14 years imprisonment, both conviction and sentence are now the subject of an appeal.
Advocacy team
About the case
Prosecuted by the Complex Casework unit. Prosecution case was that the defendant was part of an Organised Criminal Gang that where dealing wholesale in Cocaine and the cutting agent Benzocaine. Recovered cocaine if cut with the Benzocaine would have had a street value of £1.8 million.
Advocacy team
About the case
Twenty-four handed conspiracy to import four tonnes of cocaine from South America, worth a potential £4 billion.
Advocacy team
About the case
Leading Counsel in VHCC contracted case for main Defendant in 15-handed Conspiracy to supply multiple kilos of Class A drugs from South America via Africa and Europe.
Advocacy team
About the case
Class A drugs were acquired in quantity in Northern Ireland, trafficked to Liverpool and onward to the north east for distribution in Hartlepool and Newcastle. Most conspirators were unknown to police who stumbled on a major conspiracy.