What is Conspiracy to Supply?

Conspiracy to supply is a serious drugs offence. As such, it also carries a potentially significant penalty, which can vary depending on the circumstances of the case.

Here, we discuss what conspiracy to supply is, what the sentencing guidelines for conspiracy to supply look like and whether there are any potential defences available to anyone who is accused of the offence.

What does conspiracy to supply mean?

Conspiracy to supply can be broken down into two components.

When we refer to ‘conspiracy’, this is an agreement among two or more people to commit a crime. Supply can be interpreted in a variety of ways, but in this context, it will mean passing on a controlled substance to another individual. This is regardless of whether the intent to supply was for profit or to pass on a controlled substance to a friend or acquaintance.

It is important to note that, with a conspiracy charge, the alleged plan to supply drugs does not need to have taken place. There must simply be an intention to supply.

Actions that could be considered as conspiracy include:

  • Discussing the specifics of a drug deal, including text messages
  • Travelling to deals or acting as a courier
  • Being a ‘middle man’
  • Allowing for your premises to be used to supply drugs

What’s more, you can also be charged with conspiracy to supply even where you have not been found with a controlled substance on your person. Circumstantial evidence is often used by prosecutors to charge you, which can include:

  • Phone calls
  • Text messages
  • Listening devices
  • CCTV evidence
  • Drug paraphernalia, such as cutting agents, bags, scales and more

What are the potential penalties for conspiracy to supply?

The potential penalties you can face for conspiracy to supply can vary significantly and will depend on the Class of drugs, as well as various other factors such as your perceived culpability and the harm caused by the offence.

Maximum penalties for conspiracy to supply Class A drugs

The most serious penalties are handed out for conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.

Depending on whether proceedings take place in the Magistrates’ Court or Crown Court, the maximum sentence you could receive for conspiracy to supply are:

Magistrates’ Court

  • A fine of up to £5,000 and/or
  • Up to six month’s imprisonment

Crown Court

  • An unlimited fine and/or
  • A prison sentence up to and including life imprisonment

Maximum penalties for conspiracy to supply Class B drugs

Again, cases of conspiracy to supply Class B drugs can be heard in both the Magistrates’ Court and the Crown Court. The maximum penalties you can receive are as follows:

Magistrates’ Court

  • A fine of up to £5,000 and/or
  • Up to 6 months’ imprisonment

Crown Court

  • An unlimited fine
  • Up to 14 years imprisonment

Maximum penalties for conspiracy to supply Class C drugs

The maximum penalties for conspiracy to supply Class C drugs are:

Magistrates’ Court

  • A fine of up to £5,000 and/or
  • Up to 6 months’ imprisonment

Crown Court

  • An unlimited fine
  • Up to 14 years imprisonment

What defences are there against conspiracy to supply?

The available defence options that could be used in response to allegations of conspiracy to supply will be heavily dependent on the circumstances of the case.

Where you deny involvement in the alleged offence of conspiracy to supply, your criminal defence will likely rely on reviewing the available evidence, such as witness testimonies, mobile evidence, financial records, CCTV footage and DNA evidence.

Based on this, it may be possible to put forward a defence that you lacked any sort of awareness that a deal was due to take place or that you had no involvement in any of the events that proceeded with a planned deal.

Should I speak to a solicitor if I’ve been accused of conspiracy to supply?

If you are accused of conspiracy to supply, it is absolutely essential that you instruct a specialist criminal defence solicitor at the earliest opportunity.

While many people assume that instructing a solicitor will signify guilt in some way, this could not be further from the truth. An experienced criminal defence solicitor can review your circumstances, helping you to understand your rights and what actions may serve to harm your defence.

At Renshaw Derrick, our criminal defence team have considerable expertise with conspiracy to supply, as well as the various defence strategies that can be applied for these allegations. This means we are perfectly positioned to represent you if you are facing an allegation of this sort.

Get in touch with our conspiracy to supply lawyers in Bournemouth, Dorset, today

Get in touch with our conspiracy to supply solicitors in Bournemouth by giving us a call, emailing mail@renshawderrick.co.uk, or by filling in our online enquiry form.