If you are facing a possession with intent to supply offence, you are likely worried about what might happen if your case goes to trial and are thinking desperately about ways you might be able to defend yourself. As you prepare your defence with the help of an expert criminal defence solicitor, it might set your mind at ease to learn more about the offence and consider how similar cases of possession with intent to supply have been dealt with by the courts in the past.
Possession with intent to supply is an offence covering situations where a person has a controlled drug in their possession, whether lawfully or not, with the intent to supply it to another who has no legal right to possess it.
In this respect, ‘supplying’ itself is a simple concept. It just involves passing the controlled drug from one person to another; there is no requirement that profit is made on that supply.
Possession with intent to supply offences are governed by the Misuse of Drugs Act of 1971. To be found guilty under that Act, the prosecution must prove:
Factors that indicate evidence of your intention to supply include:
Case Details | Judgment Date | Sentence | Link to Transcript |
Supplying drugs to another as part of joint purchase of drugs | 27/01/2016 | 12 months’ imprisonment | https://crimeline.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Ghalghal.pdf |
Supply of Class A drugs to a close friend resulting in accidental death | 25/09/2013 | 6 months’ imprisonment | https://crimeline.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Harrod.pdf |
Street dealing of cocaine while on suspended sentence | 30/04/2015 | 2 years and 8 months’ imprisonment | https://crimeline.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Leigh.pdf |
Group’s supply of Class A drugs to undercover police officers | 05/11/2013 | 16 months to 8 years’ imprisonment | https://crimeline.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Dyer-and-others.pdf |
Taxi driver (drug ‘courier’) in possession of £100,000 worth of high purity heroin with intent to supply | 11/11/2014 | 3 years’ imprisonment | https://crimeline.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Bowman.pdf |
Supply of large quantities of heroin when defendant thought it was cannabis | 14/05/2001 | 6 years’ imprisonment | https://crimeline.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Ngiam.pdf |
Supply of cannabis for ‘medical’ reasons | 24/03/2015 | 3 years’ imprisonment | https://crimeline.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Edwards.pdf |
Possession with intent to supply is a common charge, and the team at Stuart Miller Solicitors deal with cases like this every single day. Some notable cases include:
Possession with intent to supply is a very serious crime and the media seems to be full of stories of those who truly had ‘the book thrown at them’ when it came to their day in court. Drugs cause innumerable social and economic problems and in an attempt to quash these issues, the UK government has put strict rules in place around their use. Being found in breach of these rules can have devastating consequences, but there is a lot that goes into sentencing so it is worth understanding the various rules.
Generally, sentences are given according to the class of drug involved, as well as aggravating and mitigating factors (as with other crimes).
As with other crimes, the courts may consider aggravating and mitigating factors to decide on your sentence. In drugs cases, these might include:
Aggravating factors:
Mitigating factors:
Read more about possession with intent to supply sentences.
What are possible defences for possession with intent to supply offences?
Drug offences are often tough to sentence because there are numerous different types of drugs, aggravating and mitigating factors, and other circumstances that come into play. That said, there are some defences that you might be able to rely upon to get your case thrown out, or to secure a lighter punishment. The specific defences of ‘personal use’ or ‘lack of knowledge’ can be used, or you can rely on one of the many general defences that could apply to drug-related crimes.
Specific defences include:
General defences include:
Read more about defences to possession with intent to supply cases.
Being charged with an offence like possession with intent to supply can be highly stressful, and at times frightening. If you would like further help in understanding how possession with intent to supply cases area dealt with, contact the friendly team at Stuart Miller Solicitors today. We can arrange a meeting in person, online, or over the phone, and you can even text us on WhatsApp if you’re not quite ready to chat to someone in person. Get in touch to find out more.