Leading Drugs Solicitors, Manchester & London
Olliers Solicitors has significant experience in defending people accused of all manner of drugs offences.
Drugs Offences
The seriousness of the charges faced depends largely on the class of drugs involved, the quantity and the role said to have been played by the accused person. At the lower end, someone may be caught in simple possession of a class B drug such as cannabis where the case can be dealt with in the Magistrates Court. Possession of a Class A drug such as cocaine or heroin or MDMA will attract a higher sentence.
If the accused person is found in possession of a quantity of drugs (whether class A, B or C) which is in excess of what would reasonable be regarded as for personal use, the prosecution will usually charge a person with possession with intent to supply. This can be supply on a social or commercial basis. Inevitably the sentence for such offence again depends on the class of drug (Class A being the highest) and the quantity involved. Issues to be explored by the defence will be the role played by the accused person as demonstrated by prosecution evidence in the from of lifestyle, financial means, and an examination of the contents of the accused’s mobile telephone.
Conspiracy to Supply
The prosecution will under certain circumstances charge an accused person with conspiracy to supply or import drugs. Whilst this has more serious connotations, a conspiracy is simply an agreement with another to supply drugs. The prosecution often decide to charge a number of individuals with conspiracy where for example there has been an ongoing police operation.
A drugs conspiracy can cover all roles said to have been played by individuals. At the top end, are the organisers or importers, there are then the suppliers, the street dealers, the store/warehouse persons, and the couriers.
Matthew Corn and Zita Spencer specialise in and undertake the bulk of such drugs cases. The approach taken is to thoroughly examine the evidence and to take full instructions on the same. In order to prove a conspiracy, the prosecution have to establish that there was an agreement and it follows that the accused person has to have knowledge that what he or she is accused of doing is in furtherance of the agreement to supply drugs.
The prosecution present their evidence in a variety of ways, most commonly will be a sequence of events chart based some of the following evidence obtained: surveillance observations, telephone contact between relevant parties, cell site analysis showing the locations of people’s phones, ANPR data to show movements of cars used by accused persons, covertly recorded conversations from vehicles or properties. Sometimes it is necessary for us to instruct experts to deal with aspects of the prosecution evidence or to assist in the presentation of defence evidence.
The courts are assisted by sentencing guidelines which are in existence for all types of drug offences.
Olliers only instruct approved experts and advocates to deal with such cases.
Drugs defence lawyers
Watch serious crime specialist solicitor Matt Corn discussing the importance of using a specialist criminal solicitor if you face serious criminal charges.
Recent Drugs Cases
Below is a selection of recent cases undertaken.
- 2018 – Operation Satin – Manchester Crown Court currently representing defendant is multi handed conspiracy to supply class A drugs
- 2018 – Operation Cosmetic – Manchester Crown Court representing defendant in multi handed conspiracy to supply Class A drugs and Firearms
- 2017 – Operation Crew – Nottingham Crown Court. Representing defendant in multi handed conspiracy to supply class A drugs.
- 2017 – Operation Legend – Manchester Crown Court. Representing defendant in large scale drugs and money laundering conspiracy.
- 2017 – Operation Jasper – Preston Crown Court. Represented defendant in multi handed large scale conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.
- 2017 – Operation Crackle 3 – Birmingham Crown Court. Representing defendant conspiracy to supply heroin.
- 2016-17 – Operation Afterburn II – Portsmouth Crown Court. Currently representing 2 defendants in a multi handed conspiracy to supply Class Drugs.
- 2016-17 – Operation Quad – Norwich Crown Court. Representing defendant in a conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.
- 2015-16 – Operation Calzone – Northampton Crown Court. Represented one of 19 defendants charged with conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.
- 2015 – Operation Measure – Caernarfon Crown Court. Represented defendant in multi handed conspiracy to supply class A drugs.
- 2015 – Operation Destiny – Leeds Crown Court. Currently representing two defendants charged with conspiracy to supply Class A drugs, and Money laundering.
- 2015 – Operation Wreckage – Manchester Crown Court. Represented defendant charged with conspiracy to supply Class B drugs.
- 2014 – R –v– S Liverpool Crown Court. Represented defendant charged with conspiring to import half a tonne of cocaine.
- 2014 – R –v– R Liverpool Crown Court. Representing defendant charged with importation of drugs previously known as “legal highs”.
- 2014 – Operation Cobweb – Teesside Crown Court, represented defendant in large scale conspiracy to supply Class A Drugs.
- 2011 – Operation Dearly – Birmingham Crown Court. Acted for defendant in multi handed drug conspiracy to import cocaine from South America.
Need a Specialist Drugs Lawyer? (London & Manchester)
If you are facing a drugs allegation, contact Matt Corn or Zita Spencer by telephone on 0161 834 1515, by email to info@olliers.com or click here to send us a message.
