THE DRUGS CASE
This case is about a sophisticated high value conspiracy to supply heroin and crack cocaine. Our client was alleged to be involved in a ‘county lines’ operation to sell these class A drugs.
There were five defendants. The prosecution said our client played a leading role. They claimed he was the main contact organising the supply of drugs from London to East Anglia. He was accused of selling them in local towns.
Our client had been arrested twice for possessing cocaine and heroin and the telephone evidence showed that he was selling them.
TELEPHONE EVIDENCE
The telephone cell site, co-location and connection evidence showed:
- The defendant had contact with the phones of other members of the conspiracy.
- That he physically met the others for short periods. It was claimed that these meeting were for him to collect and then distribute the drugs.
- His mobile was often in the same area as the “burner” mobile number, Thisa is a phone that customers called to arrange their supplies of heroin and cocaine.
- There were text messages about drugs supply.
POSSESSION OF DRUGS
Our client had been arrested twice over a six-month period. On both occasions he was alleged to be in possession of a large quantity of class A drugs which was too much for personal use.
DEFENCE CASE AT TRIAL
The defence case was that he was a drug user not a drug dealer. We carefully analysed the telephone evidence. We showed that the co-location and messages were equally consistent with his personal use as his dealing in drugs.
We presented strong evidence of our client’s heavy drug use to explain the large quantities found on him. This also explained why he would often be in situations where large amounts of drugs were present.
The prosecution case looked strong and the trial lasted over three months. As a result of careful preparation and strong advocacy the jury could not reach a verdict. We persuaded the court to give our client bail.
THE RE-TRIAL
At his re-retrial, the prosecution presented DNA evidence which linked our client to the drugs that had been found. We urgently instructed a defence expert. We then made submissions that the evidence should not be allowed. This reduced the impact of the new evidence. The jury could still not reach a verdict after a retrial lasting ten weeks. The CPS do not try cases three times. Our client was formally found not guilty.
These cases can carry heavy sentences as recent cases show. So it is worth getting solicitors who have experience in this kind of work. You can see other similar cases here.
If you want advice about a serious drugs case call Gil on 020 8986 8336 or email him.
Gil Spurling partner, a criminal law and drugs case expert.