If you are seeking support for a drug offence case, look no further than JFH Crime, one of the top criminal law firms in London.
As experts in criminal law, our team brings together the experience of the solicitors’ profession and independent bar under one roof.
Our criminal solicitors are passionate about delivering unrivalled client care and satisfaction, whatever your case, and are committed to achieving your desired outcomes.
So, if you need any advice about drug offences, we are here to help.
Discover the four main drug offence categories, the different classes of drugs, and how our expert team at JFH Crime can support your case below.
4 categories of drug offences
Drug offences typically fall into four main categories:
1. Possession of drugs
In most cases, the answer to the question of whether someone is in possession of something will be relatively straightforward.
However, it can become more complicated when a person is found to have something they did not know anything about or has something that they thought was one thing but that turns out to be something else.
2. Possession of drugs with intent to supply
Possession with intent to supply (PWITS) is a more serious offence than simple possession.
PWITS can take a number of forms, such as selling on a commercial basis to individual users, selling larger quantities to dealers, looking after drugs for someone, transporting drugs for someone, or buying drugs to share with friends.
Although ultimately the offence is the same, the sentence will be very different.
For example, someone who buys cannabis to share with their friends is likely to get a community order, whereas someone selling large quantities of Class A drugs (see more about drug classes below) for large sums of money can expect a very lengthy prison sentence.
3. Importation of drugs
The importation of drugs is normally charged as ‘the fraudulent evasion of the prohibition of the importation of a controlled drug’.
Again, the likely sentence will depend on the class of drug and the level of involvement of the individual, but it will almost certainly result in a prison sentence of several years.
4. Production of cannabis
Cannabis production is a separate type of offence. It covers everything from growing a handful of plants for your own use to commercial scale growing.
Anyone convicted of growing a small number of plants for their own benefit is likely to be given a community order, whereas someone growing cannabis on a commercial scale is likely to be sent to prison for a number of years.
Again, the sentence will vary depending on the scale of the operation and the level of their involvement.
The consequences of committing drug offences
Anyone convicted of PWITS, drug importation, or cannabis production may well face confiscation proceedings if it is felt that they have financially benefitted from their offending.
This can often have serious consequences, as the benefit is usually calculated by reference to the value of the drugs.
The 3 classes of drugs
There are three classes of drugs, and the higher the class of drugs, the more severe the sentence.
Class A
This includes drugs such as heroin, cocaine, ecstasy, and crystal meth
Class B
This is typically cannabis, but also includes ketamine and amphetamines.
Class C
These include drugs such a diazepam, GHB, or Khat.
Enlist our support at JFH Crime
If you need support or more information about drug offence cases, we are here to help.
Our criminal law experts at JFH Crime will work with you to achieve the best possible outcomes for your drug offence case, utilising our loyal, thorough, understanding, and robust approach.
Get in touch with us today to learn more, or alternatively book a consultation to discuss your needs with us in more detail.