Importation of Steroids

Ordering steroids online and having them delivered to you from outside the UK is illegal. If you want to buy steroids and bring them into the country, you will have to do this in person but only for personal use.

If you’ve made a mistake or you have been caught out, then you are likely to be worrying about whether you will be given a hefty fine or a prison sentence.

Worrying about the outcome is understandable, but if you take the advice of a drug offences solicitor, you could put yourself into a better situation.

Have you been arrested or charged for Importation of Steroids?

If you or somebody in your close circle has been arrested or charged in connection to the offence of importation of steroids or even conspiracy to import steroids on a mass scale, you will probably be feeling very stressed, confused, worried and anxious about what’s going to happen.

To help you to work out what your next step should be, we have put the most common questions and answers together. We aim to provide you with the support and guidance that you need to make the best decision about how to protect yourself.

What type of actions are considered Importation of Steroids?

Here are some examples of the different laws that relate to the importation of steroids that may have led to the situation at hand.

Anabolic Steroids are controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act as class C drugs, but their legal status is complicated. In most situations, the possession offence is typically waived, and therefore, those who use steroids or possess them without a prescription are unlikely to be prosecuted. However, that doesn’t mean that it won’t happen as in some areas of the UK it has a history of happening.

What happens in an Importation of Steroids investigation?

When an importation of steroids investigation takes place, it can be a very worrying time. You may be anxious that you will be convicted, that you’ll be sent to prison, and you won’t be able to cover your bills or have enough food for your family to eat. Everything feels unstable, uncertain and very daunting.

You may have been falsely accused of importation of steroids

Please also note that in many cases, people are wrongly accused with the importation of steroids. If you feel this is you and a misunderstanding or error has been made, it’s crucial that you take the guidance of a drug offences  solicitor as quickly as possible. There is a chance that your lawyer will be able to get the case dismissed for you.

Without a lawyer, you cannot find out more until the interview

It’s likely that you won’t be told any more information about your case until you have a police interview.

What most of our clients find uncomfortable is that the police will probably request a search warrant from a judge or magistrate. They can then investigate every area of your life, including your social media accounts, emails and telephones calls.

The purpose of the search which will be undertaken by law enforcement officers is to obtain evidence that can be used against you in court.

Typically, the next part of the process of being accused of importation of steroids is attending the police interview.

The interview will be tape-recorded in case it needs to be used as evidence and played in court (if your case goes to court). However, this means that you have the right to legal advice. It’s is critical to getting a positive outcome that you consult with a legal professional before attending the police interview.

Instruct a legal professional as soon as possible

We recommend that you attend the police interview with a solicitor. If you don’t, you’ll find yourself in a room with two investigations for formal interviewing.

You won’t find out anything before the interview if you don’t engage a solicitor. Therefore you will not be aware of what exactly the police want to discuss with you or what you would ideally say in response to questions.

The benefit of hiring a drug offences solicitor is that they can gain access to the information that the police has before the interview. Once they have this information and have spoken to you, they can start to build a strong defence for you.

The questions asked at the police interview will be very probing and intrusive. Evidence that the police and others have collected to prove their case may be shared with you. Overall, the interview is stressful and uncomfortable, especially as what they tell you could be a surprise if you haven’t already hired a solicitor.

What should you do if you get arrested or charged with Importation of Steroids?

Importation of steroids can be a very complicated area of law. Although it’s not compulsory for you to take legal representation, we do advise you to do so. Regulations, rules and restrictions for drugs offences are in a constant flux of change, and it can be tough to keep up with them and to understand them.

Our team keep current with changes and review the changes that take place. Hiring a competent solicitor will give you access to the most current information, great defence and supportive advice.

Hiring specialist knowledge will get you the best outcome and importantly, peace of mind. We advise that you get in touch with us as soon as you can. We need to assess your case before it develops further. We may even be able to get the case dismissed before it reaches the court attendance stage.

Can the police search my home?

The police are likely to ask a judge or a magistrate for a search warrant to search your home. Looking for evidence to use at your court case, they will also want to look at your phone, mobile devices and computer.

Could you go to jail for Importation of Steroids?

The importation of steroids is an offence that is typically punished with a fine and a prison sentence. If you hire a skilled and experienced drug offences solicitor, it’s possible that they could get this matter resolved outside of the court system. In the worst cases, they are likely to improve your outcome.

We handle importation of steroid cases regularly and have deep expertise in this field. No matter what size your case is, we can help. Get in touch with us today.

What type of sentence could you get for Importation of Steroids?

Depending on the type of steroids, the quantity of them and the methods and sophistication use to import them; the sentences will vary significantly. However, most typically, if importation of steroids has taken place on a commercial scale for the onward supply to gyms and other professional athletes for example, a term of imprisonment of 2-4 years is likely to be imposed.

Read more about possible sentences for Importation of Steroids offences.

Does a conviction for Importation of Steroids go on your criminal record?

If your importation of steroids case is heard in court and you are convicted of the crime, your conviction will be recorded on your CRB / police record.

The period of the endorsement will depend on the nature and length of the sentence imposed on you.

In addition, you will most likely face confiscation proceedings and the prosecution will seek to strip you from your assets or demand a further and additional term of imprisonment for not paying the money.

How Can Stuart Miller Solicitors Help?

Our drug offences solicitors have a creative approach to defending clients. We rightly deserve the reputation of ‘leaving no stone unturned’ in our quest to succeed. Importation of steroids allegations can be very complicated to defend, and they require expert knowledge, skill and strategic ability. Our criminal lawyers are pioneers of factual and legal defence arguments and will you stand beside you throughout the case.

Whether the importation of steroids allegations involve the receipt of steroids ordered over the internet or a conspiracy to import steroids on a mass scale; our criminal solicitors are knowledgeable enough to give you the best advice from the very outset of the case.

What will happen when I instruct an importation of steroids lawyer?

We will study the classification of each type of steroid, amphetamine or other products such as growth hormones and insulin. We will establish which product falls within the confines of the Misuse of Drugs Act and which other laws are being relied upon to prosecute. Ensuring the prosecution have proved, in law, that the products are unlawful for the purposes of importation and supply, we will instruct our own exert drug analysts to establish the authenticity of the product.

Sometimes for example with expensive products such as growth hormones, the actual product being supplied is neither genuine nor consisting of the correct molecular structure to be classified as growth hormone. Similarly, we will ensure that the steroids are tested and correctly prosecuted. Otherwise, we will move to dismiss the charges.

Depending on the quantity of steroids and other products and the number of people involved in the prosecution, we will devise the best defence strategy for you from the beginning and do our very best to protect your best interests and those of your family.

Impact on cash & assets

Importation of steroids allegations often lead to cash seizure, the seizure of personal assets, the imposition of restraint orders and substantial restrictions on your ability to sell cars, homes and move money around between businesses.

What will my drug offences solicitor do to help?

We will work with you to understand your circumstances and go through the prosecution evidence in detail. We will identify weakness and technical flaws in the prosecution case, challenging illegal evidence and contesting the credibility of their evidence and their case along the way.

We will gather defence evidence to support your case and establish the extent to which steroids were being used for personal use, were being used for supply only to athletes and whether any steps were taken to protect general members of the public from getting their hands on the steroids. Issues such as the authenticity and the credibility of the supplier (for example a pharmacy) may well assist the case if you decide to plead guilty and we are tasked to mitigate on your behalf.

Regardless of the nature and strength of the allegations, you can be sure you are dealing with criminal solicitors who understand the bodybuilding world, who understand the use and supply of steroids and who will work tirelessly to defend you and achieve the best possible outcome.

Would you like to discuss your case before instructing us?

If you wish to discuss your importation of steroids allegation with an expert drug offences solicitor, we will offer you a free consultation so you have a chance to get to know us and assess our suitability to defend you. We will listen to your side of the story and give you guidance on what will happen, what you need to do and what you can expect.

In addition to giving you a free consultation, we can also represent you at the police station if you’ve been arrested. We can look at securing you legal aid.

Please contact us and ask to speak to our criminal solicitors to arrange a meeting in person, online or by telephone. If you prefer, you can WhatsApp us from the link you will find on this page.