Defence lawyers specialising in defending drugs allegations ( London & Manchester)
Olliers Solicitors has significant experience in defending people accused of all types of drugs offences. Matt Corn defends individuals in all aspects of drug related cases.
If you are arrested for a drug offence you should always contact a solicitor for advice.
Drugs legislation is still largely governed by the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. The illegal drugs fall into Classes A, B or C.
Drug offences vary in terms of seriousness. At the bottom end, it can be simple possession – e.g. a small wrap of cannabis for personal use;
Being concerned in the supply of drugs
This might be where you are accused of being involved in drug supply but not necessarily that you were in possession of drugs yourself.
Possession with intent to supply
This could be social supply to friends (at the bottom end) or it could be looking after drugs for another person under instructions, or couriering drugs from one location to another. Alternatively, it could be street dealing or at the top end, large scale commercial supply.
Production of drugs
This might be a small cannabis plant at the bottom end or a large scale cannabis farm or a lab used for producing amphetamine at the top end.
Conspiracy
Often where there is more than one person suspected of drugs offences, the prosecution will charge the case as a Conspiracy. This simply means an ‘agreement’ to do something. Typically, there might be a conspiracy to supply or produce drugs. The conspiracy would include persons occupying various different roles – street dealing, storing drugs, passing on telephone messages from suppliers to customers, couriering drugs, mixing drugs, or at a higher level it might include those directing and organising a supply network. At the highest end of there might be a conspiracy to import drugs.
Class A drugs
These include heroin, cocaine, ‘crack’, MDMA or ‘ecstasy’, LSD. Offences involving these drugs carry higher sentences upon conviction. Almost inevitably, offences involving class A drugs will be dealt with in the crown court and can result in custodial sentences of some length depending on the amount of drugs and the role performed by the individual.
Class B drugs
Typically, these would include amphetamine, cannabis, ketamine. Sentences .will be less than class A drugs but they can still result in custodial sentences and are based on the amounts and the role played by the accused.
Class C drugs
These could include diazepam, nandralone, testosterone, temazepam. These are less serious offences and sentences would reflect this however if the amounts were significant and commercially based, this would aggravate any sentence to be passed.
What evidence is used in drugs cases?
The prosecution present their evidence in drugs cases in a variety of ways, not just exhibiting the drugs actually recovered in a case. Evidence might include:
- Debt lists recovered
- Drug paraphernalia seized such as bags, scales
- 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.
- Forensic/ DNA evidence linking a person to drugs or phones used in the drug related activity
- Movement of money and or Cash seizures
How can Olliers help me if I face a drugs charge?
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.
Matt Corn specialises in and undertakes the bulk of such drugs cases at Olliers and can advise in relation to all aspects of drugs offences. He also instructs a selected number of trusted barristers at chambers approved by Olliers.
Sentencing drugs offences
The courts are assisted by sentencing guidelines which are in existence for all types of drug offences. Typically the guidelines will be used to determine whether a drugs offence (whether class A B or C) is a Category 1, 2, 3 or 4 based on the amount. Then one turns to the role of the accused – lesser (e.g. person who waters a cannabis plant under instruction), significant (street dealer, courier, storekeeper, manager of production) or leading (organiser, financier, beneficiary). The roles and categories are fluid in that a person could be said to be a high significant or a low leading role.
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
- 2020 Operation Erbium – Sheffield Crown Court. Currently representing defendant in multi handed drugs and firearms conspiracy.
- 2020 – Exeter Crown Court – Operation Release; Represented defendant charged with attempted murder, and conspiracy to supply class A drugs.
- 2019 – Manchester Crown Court; R v A and O. Represented two defendants charged with conspiracy to supply Class A and B drugs
- 2019 –20 Leicester Crown Court – Operation Buster; representing defendant charged as part of a multi handed importation, supply and production of Class A and B drugs.
- 2018 – Operation Cosmetic – Manchester Crown Court representing defendant charged with a conspiracy to supply class A drugs and possession of a firearms.
- 2018-2019 – Operation Blush – Liverpool Crown Court. Representing defendant charged with conspiracy to possess firearms and to supply class A and B drugs.
- 2019 – 20 Operation Quartz –Manchester Crown Court. Representing defendant charged with production of amphetamine.
- 2018-2019 – Operation Hemisphere – Sheffield Crown Court. Represented defendants charged with conspiracy to supply class A drugs.
- 2017 – Operation Crew – Nottingham Crown Court. Represented defendant in multi handed conspiracy to supply class A drugs.
- 2017 – Operation Legend – Manchester Crown Court. Represented 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. Represented defendant conspiracy to supply heroin.
- 2016-17 – Operation Afterburn II – Portsmouth Crown Court. Currently represented 2 defendants in a multi handed conspiracy to supply Class Drugs.
- 2016 – Operation Quad – Norwich Crown Court. Represented 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. Represented 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.
Contact a specialist drugs lawyer? (London & Manchester)
If you or a family member are facing a drugs allegation, contact Matt Corn or Matthew Claughton to discuss your case.
