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Fentanyl Importation & Smuggling Offences

Prosecution authorities and criminal enforcement agencies are becoming increasingly concerned about drugs such as fentanyl being smuggled into the UK. As a result, fentanyl smuggling and importation charges are extremely serious. If you or someone you know has been accused of or charged with a fentanyl importation or smuggling offence, get in touch with our specialist drug offence solicitors for immediate advice.

Having the right legal advice from the very start of your case will give you the best possible chance of achieving a positive outcome.

Our specialist drug offence solicitors have experience helping people facing investigation and prosecution for fentanyl importation and smuggling.

With us on their side, our clients are often able to avoid charges altogether. Where charges are brought, we regularly manage to secure a ‘not guilty’ verdict at court or achieve a reduced sentence.

We can provide fierce advice and representation at every stage of the criminal justice system, including:

  • At the police station or place of detention – if you have been arrested or invited for a voluntary interview under caution
  • During criminal investigations
  • At court, including the Magistrates Court and Crown Court

We understand just how stressful facing serious drug charges is and how worried you might be about how this will affect your life. Do not leave the outcome to chance – contact our criminal defence experts as soon as you can:

Call 01476 591711 for standard enquiries during office hours

Call 07535 215140 for 24/7 emergency support including police station representation.

 

If you need advice from an expert drugs conspiracy solicitor, come to Conspiracy Solicitors.

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How our solicitors can help with fentanyl importation and smuggling charges and investigations

Police station representation for fentanyl importation charges

We offer 24/7 advice for anyone who has been arrested or invited for a voluntary interview under caution in relation to suspected fentanyl importation and smuggling at the police station or place of detention.

Our experienced team includes qualified police station representatives who can travel to advise you as soon as you need us.

Our police station representation service is free of charge because you have a legal right to advice while under arrest or when being interviewed under caution. We highly recommend that you do not speak to the police or prosecuting authority about any alleged offence until we are by your side to assist you.

If you need immediate advice because you have been invited for interview under caution or you or someone you know has been arrested, you can call our emergency support line on 07535 215140.

Advice during criminal investigations into fentanyl smuggling

If you have been released under investigation, we can provide advice and representation throughout the process. We know that the uncertainty of waiting to see whether you are charged with an offence can be stressful. We can take any possible steps to speed up the investigation and challenge the police’s investigation methods.

It is possible that the police or prosecuting authority (such as the National Crime Agency or regional organised crime unity) will contact you again to ask more questions about the alleged fentanyl smuggling. If this happens, get in touch with us as soon as possible for advice.

If the police or other prosecuting authority take any proactive steps, such as searching your home or seizing your property, it is also important to get in touch as soon as possible for advice because you have vital legal rights.

Court representation for fentanyl importation prosecutions

We regularly represent clients accused of fentanyl importation and smuggling at the Magistrates Court and Crown Court. Our team includes specially qualified court advocates and we also have strong links with some of the UK’s leading criminal barristers. So, we can ensure that you have the very best representation at trial.

Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (PoCA) proceedings

We can handle complex and high value cases involving proceedings under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, including:

  • Confiscation proceedings
  • Restraint proceedings
  • Cash seizure

If you have had cash or assets seized or bank accounts frozen in relation to fentanyl smuggling and importation, we can provide specialist advice and take all possible steps to recover your assets and minimise your losses.

Common questions about fentanyl drug smuggling and importation offences

What is the law on fentanyl drug smuggling and importation?

There are several different laws that make fentanyl smuggling illegal. The Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 prohibits different classes of drugs with Class A being the most serious and Class C being the least serious.

Although it can be prescribed to treat chronic pain or used as an anaesthetic, Fentanyl is a Class A drug because it is judged to be extremely harmful when it is misused.

The law on importation and smuggling is found under the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979.

Why are the authorities cracking down on fentanyl importation and smuggling?

Fentanyl is said to be 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine so can put users at severe risk of overdose, especially when it is mixed with heroin or cocaine to be sold on the streets.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) says that fentanyl has become much more widely available on the drugs market because of production in countries such as China and online sales on the dark web.

The National Crime Agency (NCA) also says that drug trafficking involving serious drugs like fentanyl also has direct links with violent and organised crime, such as use of firearms, gang feud knife attacks and exploitation of young people to traffic drugs across county lines.

For these reasons, the authorities take crimes involving Class A drugs such as fentanyl extremely seriously. The CPS recommends that the potency of fentanyl be brought to the court’s attention and also that prosecutors should use expert evidence to talk about the dangers of fentanyl. These factors could impact your sentence if you are eventually found guilty. So, having the best possible legal defence on your side is essential.

Who enforces fentanyl drug smuggling laws?

A number of authorities are responsible for catching fentanyl smugglers. The UK Border Force is responsible for securing the UK borders and carries out immigration and customs controls on goods entering the UK.

If the Border Force officers detect and seize fentanyl or other illegal goods at the UK borders, they may arrest or caution the suspect. The investigation will then usually be referred to the relevant authorities such as the police, regional organised crime unit or the National Crime Agency.

What are the penalties for smuggling or importing fentanyl?

The Sentencing Council guidelines set out the potential penalties for importing Class A drugs. The maximum sentence is life imprisonment with a recommended sentencing range of 3.5-16 years’ custody.

Contact Conspiracy Solicitor now for advice about fentanyl importation and smuggling

We understand just how stressful facing serious drug charges is and how worried you might be about how this will affect your life. Do not leave the outcome to chance – contact our criminal defence experts as soon as you can:

Call 01476 591711 for standard enquiries during office hours

Call 07535 215140 for 24/7 emergency support including police station representation.