Conspiracy to Supply Class A Drugs

If you have been charged with, or are potentially facing charges for, conspiracy to supply class A drugs, it is essential to have experienced legal support and representation to ensure you have the best chance of a fair outcome.

These are highly serious and complex charges, and the likelihood of you being prosecuted and the outcome of any prosecution will be heavily dependent on the details of the case and the strength of your defence.

Our drug conspiracy solicitors have the expertise to establish all of the relevant facts, including anything that could allow you to avoid charges, see existing charges dropped or help you secure the least severe penalties possible, depending on the circumstances.

No matter what stage your case is at – whether you are yet to secure representation or are unhappy with your current legal team – we can help.

Get in touch with our experienced drug conspiracy solicitors now by using our simple contact form to request a call back or calling one of the following numbers:

01476 591711 – for standard enquiries during office hours
07535215140 – for 24/7 emergency support, including police station representation

What does conspiracy to supply class A drugs mean?

A criminal conspiracy is where two or more people plan to carry out behaviour that will involve a criminal offence or offences being committed. Conspiracy to supply class A drugs can therefore cover planning or carrying out any behaviour intended to contribute to the supply of class A drugs.

The actions being planned do not necessarily need to be criminal in and of themselves for conspiracy charges to apply. The actions merely have to be intended to contribute to a plan that will lead to a crime being committed. For example, driving a car to pick up a shipment of cocaine could see you charged with conspiracy to supply class A drugs, even though the action of driving a car itself is not criminal.

A key point is that merely being involved in planning a crime can see you charged with conspiracy, even if you do not directly take part in any criminal activity.

These types of charges are highly complex and usually rely on a large volume of evidence and careful consideration of all of the circumstances and relevant laws to determine the best course of action to defeat conspiracy charges or allow you to achieve the minimum possible sentence.

When can you be prosecuted for conspiracy to commit a drugs offence?

Generally, you may be prosecuted for conspiracy to commit a drugs offence if the police or another agency can show evidence that appears to suggest that you were involved in planning any action that led or could have led to a drugs offence being committed.

The definition of what it means to be involved in a conspiracy is open to interpretation, meaning it is not uncommon for people to get caught up in a drug conspiracy charge simply for “being in the wrong place at the wrong time”.

How is conspiracy to supply proved?

Merely being involved in planning to supply drugs can lead to a criminal conviction. Therefore, the defendant does not need to be found with drugs on their person to be convicted. Instead, conspiracy to supply can be proved through actions and circumstantial evidence, such as:

  • The controlled substances
  • Drug paraphernalia, e.g. scales, cutting agents, bags, etc.
  • CCTV evidence
  • Witnesses
  • Contact details of customers
  • Significant amounts of cash 
  • Evidence of an extravagant lifestyle, e.g. designer items, expensive cars, etc.

What drugs are class A in the UK?

Currently, the following drugs are considered class A in the UK:

  • Crack cocaine
  • Cocaine
  • Ecstasy (MDMA)
  • Heroin
  • LSD
  • Magic mushrooms
  • Methadone
  • Methamphetamine (crystal meth)

What sentence will I receive for supplying Class A drugs?

There are general sentencing guidelines for conspiracy to supply class A drugs, but the exact sentence you receive will depend on the specifics of your case, anything you choose to plead guilty to and/or what can be proven beyond reasonable doubt by the prosecution.

What are the conspiracy to supply class A drugs sentencing guidelines?

The sentence you can receive for conspiracy to supply class A drugs will depend on the circumstances and whether proceedings take place in the Magistrates’ Court or Crown Court.

In Magistrates’ Court, the maximum sentence for conspiracy to supply class A 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 A drugs can include either or both:

  • An unlimited fine
  • A prison sentence up to and including life imprisonment

Also, according to the conspiracy to supply class A drugs sentencing guidelines, you may be subject to a Restraint Order, severely restricting your access to your assets and could face Confiscation Proceedings to recover the proceeds of any criminal offences you have been involved in.

What factors can affect a sentence for conspiracy to supply class A drugs?

If you choose to plead guilty or are found guilty of conspiracy to supply class A drugs, your sentence will depend on a number of factors, including:

  • Whether you plead guilty and, if so, at what stage of proceedings
  • Your role within the conspiracy
  • The scale of the offence involved in the conspiracy, e.g. the quantity and value of drugs involved
  • Any previous convictions on your record
  • The length of time over which any offences were committed
  • Your awareness/understanding of the conspiracy
  • Whether you took part due to pressure, intimidation or coercion

Our drug conspiracy solicitors have the skills and knowledge to ensure all relevant factors are taken into account to help you achieve the lightest penalties possible when you plead guilty or are found guilty of conspiracy to supply class A drugs.

What is the minimum sentence for conspiracy to supply class A drugs in the UK?

When it comes to the sentencing guidelines for conspiracy to supply Class A drugs in the UK, there are different categories that will be taken into consideration, and this will depend on the factors of your case and the part you played. The Sentencing Council has created a table providing the following information in terms of roles and their likely minimum sentence:

CLASS ALEADING ROLESIGNIFICANT ROLELESSER ROLE
Category 1

 

Starting point
14 years’ custody

Starting point
10 years’ custody

Starting point
7 years’ custody

Category range
12 – 16 years’ custody

Category range
9 – 12 years’ custody

Category range
6 – 9 years’ custody

Category 2

 

Starting point
11 years’ custody

Starting point
8 years’ custody

Starting point
5 years’ custody

Category range
9 – 13 years’ custody

Category range
6 years 6 months’ – 10 years’ custody

Category range
3 years 6 months’ – 7 years’ custody

Category 3

 

Starting point
8 years 6 months’ custody

Starting point
4 years 6 months’ custody

Starting point
3 years’ custody

Category range
6 years 6 months’ – 10 years’ custody

Category range
3 years 6 months’ – 7 years’ custody

Category range
2 – 4 years 6 months’ custody

Category 4

Starting point
5 years 6 months’ custody

Starting point
3 years 6 months’ custody

Starting point
18 months’ custody

Category range
4 years 6 months’ – 7 years 6 months’ custody

Category range
2 – 5 years’ custody

Category range
High level community order – 3 years’ custody

All of these categories are referred to in the specific sentencing guidelines laid out by the sentencing council, as well as the sentences for Class B and Class C drugs.

Conspiracy to supply class A drugs case study

In late 2016, we successfully defended one of three co-defendants in relation to charges of conspiracy to supply class A drugs and money laundering at trial in Newcastle Crown Court.

Our client was implicated in the conspiracy after paperwork relating to him was found at a property where a large quantity of class A drugs and drug dealing paraphernalia were seized by police. It was also alleged that our client was involved in laundering drug money through a car wash business.

Through meticulous preparation and investigation on the part of our drug conspiracy solicitors with the assistance of an independent financial expert, our client was acquitted of all offences at trial.

Read more.

How to fund your defence against conspiracy to supply class A drugs charges

Police station representation

If you are arrested by police, customs or the National Crime Agency (NCA), you are entitled to free legal advice at a police station or other place of detention. This also applies if you voluntarily attend an interview under caution. This legal advice is available to everyone and is not means tested – you can either use the duty solicitor at the police station or choose your own representation.

We recommend using our specialist drug conspiracy solicitors from the outset to ensure your case is handled in the most effective way and that you can have the best possible defence.

Legal aid for court proceedings

If you are undergoing a drug conspiracy charge and are due to be prosecuted in a Magistrates’ Court, you can apply for legal aid (known as a Representation Order) from the Criminal Defence Service. To qualify, you will need to pass a means test to show that you cannot afford your own defence and a merit test to prove that you require a legal defence in the Interests of Justice.

If you are facing Crown Court proceedings, a means test will be used to determine how much you will need to contribute to the cost of your defence. If you are found not guilty, any payments you make will be refunded with interest.

Find out more about funding your legal defence.

Private funding

We are also able to offer representation at police stations and at courts throughout the country by one of the partners or senior associates at Conspiracy Solicitor at an agreed fee. Our private fees can be discussed with you and will be the subject of VAT at the prevailing rate. 

We are able to provide private representation to you and our senior lawyers are often available out of normal business hours to discuss your concerns and worries, to plan your defence and to guide you through the process.

For further information, please contact senior associate Damian Sabino on 07535 215140 or at the office on 01476 591711.

Why choose Conspiracy Solicitor for your case?

Conspiracy Solicitor is a trading style of Bird and Co Solicitors LLP, a firm that has been established in the East Midlands for over 30 years and works with clients across England and Wales.

Our dedicated criminal defence team, led by Senior Partner Christopher Milligan, has over 200 years of combined experience, including extensive work on conspiracy to supply class A drugs cases.

We are accredited by the Law Society for Criminal Litigation, recognising our expertise in all areas of criminal prosecutions.

We provide an honest, straightforward approach designed to give you the strongest possible legal defence while ensuring you are clear about the details and progress of your case and your legal options at all times. With our experience and expertise, we can find the right strategy to secure you the best possible result, no matter what your circumstances.

How to transfer your case to Conspiracy Solicitor

When dealing with complex and highly serious charges, such as those related to conspiracy to supply drugs, having the right legal support is essential. In our experience, clients facing these types of charges will generally benefit significantly from legal representatives who have specific expertise in this area.

If you have not yet been charged or granted a “Representation Order” (i.e. legal aid) to cover the cost of a lawyer, it is relatively simple to have us represent you.

However, if you have already been granted legal aid, you will usually only be able to transfer to us under exceptional circumstances, such as:

  • If your current solicitor has to withdraw from the case for professional reasons, e.g. a conflict of interest or personal reasons, e.g. illness.
  • Your relationship with your existing legal team can be shown to have completely broken down, e.g. if it can be demonstrated that your solicitor has previously given you wrong advice that hurt your interests.
  • If there is another “substantial compelling” reason – but this will be entirely up to the judge and is generally a hard condition to meet.

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:

Call 01476 591711 or use our simple contact form to request a call back
Call 07535215140 at any time 24/7 for urgent police station representation