Conspiracy to supply Class B Drugs sentencing UK

Being involved in a criminal drug investigation can be an especially stressful experience. There’s a lot of stigma around the subject, meaning that in addition to the legal implications, you may have to also deal with a range of social consequences.

While drug offence cases are often shown as quite straightforward in popular culture, in reality, they tend to end up being incredibly complex. This is especially the case with conspiracy cases, where the evidence required to achieve a conviction can differ dramatically, often depending on extensive material gathered by the police over a long period of time.

Those facing charges of conspiracy to supply class B drugs in the UK can be facing serious legal repercussions, including significant prison sentences. As a result, it’s imperative that you seek legal assistance as soon as possible, to ensure that you receive the help you need in developing your legal defence. 

 

What counts as a class B drug?

Again, it’s likely that you’ve come across the concept of different drug classes, either through conversation or popular culture. Drug classes in the UK are used as a way of categorising how seriously different substances should be treated by the law. They’re divided into three main categories – Classes A, B, and C, with A being the most serious and C being the least.

The most common class B drug is cannabis, but the class also includes substances such as ketamine and codeine. These substances are considered to be moderately harmful. Class C drugs include GHB and anabolic steroids, which are relatively harmless, while class A drugs include cocaine, heroin, LSD, and crystal meth. These drugs are considered to be the most dangerous, both in terms of harm caused to the user and to their community.

 

What does it mean to conspire to supply?

A conspiracy under criminal law consists of a case where two or more people have come together with the intention of carrying out a criminal activity. As a result of there being multiple individuals, the conspiracy will often consist of multiple different roles, from more planning-orientated positions to practical roles such as drivers and people responsible for cutting and bagging up the drugs.

While it’s a commonly held belief that you need to be found with drugs on you to be convicted of drug-related charges, this is not the case with conspiracy to supply. The prosecution needs to be able to prove that you were involved in the planning process, in any capacity. This means that you could be charged with conspiracy to supply even if you were only found with scales or bags on you, if there was other evidence to suggest that you planned on using those to distribute drugs.

Clearly, it’s not black and white – conspiracy cases can become incredibly complex, involving vast amounts of evidence on both sides. This makes it even more important that you have an experienced criminal defence solicitor on your side, to help you develop a defence that’s as effective as possible.

 

Sentencing for conspiring to supply class B drugs

The sentence you’ll receive if you’re found guilty of conspiracy to supply class B drugs can differ significantly depending on a wide range of different factors that will be specific to your situation. The sentencing council provides guidelines on what kinds of sentences should be handed out, based on case-specific factors.

For cases where the role is relatively limited, the harm is considered low, and that only involves a small amount of the substance, you may be able to have your case heard in a Magistrates court. These courts can only sentence you to a maximum of 6 months in prison, pay an unlimited fine, or both.

If your role in the conspiracy is deemed to be more significant, or if the quality and quantity of the drug found to have resulted in a high level of harm, then it’s more likely that your case will be heard in a Crown Court.

Here, the maximum sentence you can receive is 14 years imprisonment, an unlimited fine, or both, with the offence range being between a band-B fine (100% of relevant weekly income) and 10 years imprisonment.

As you can see, there is a wide gap in terms of severity between these different sentences. Your criminal defence solicitor will be able to look at the circumstances directly applicable to your case, in addition to any mitigating or aggravating factors, and make a broad estimate of the kind of sentence you might receive if you’re found to be guilty.

 

Potential mitigating factors

Mitigating factors are those which, if provable, would lead to a defendant receiving a lower sentence. They include showing genuine signs of remorse, having no relevant prior convictions, being the primary carer for a dependent relative, and having a very serious medical condition. 

If your solicitor believes that any of these factors might be applicable to your case, they will try to use it as part of your defence, so that even if you’re found guilty, you receive a lenient sentence.

 

Potential aggravating factors

Aggravating factors are those which can increase the severity of your sentence. They include acting in a school or prison, exploiting county lines tensions, having a significantly negative impact on the community, and having high-purity drugs.

 

Seeking legal assistance

With any legal issue, the sooner you can get professional legal help the better. This will essentially mean that your solicitor will have more time to develop your legal defence, while also potentially being able to limit any further damage that you do to your case. An experienced criminal defence solicitor will be able to:

• Provide you with advice both before and during any police interviews under caution that you have to go through
• Help you to develop a legal defence, arranging for your representation in court if necessary
• Ensure that you are treated by the legal system in a just and fair manner at all times
• Assist you through the appeals process should it be necessary

Whether you’ve already been charged or believe that you may be charged imminently, it’s in your best interest to seek legal advice at the earliest opportunity you have.