At Imran Khan and Partners, we are a team of Solicitors that specialise in importation of drugs and are on hand to assist across the country. We provide expert legal advice at all stages of proceedings. Being found guilty of importation of drug offences carries serious and often lengthy sentences.

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Our Solicitors have experience with many different types of serious drug cases, including allegations of importation of drugs. If you are accused of a drug offence, do not hesitate to contact us.

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Free Initial Telephone Discussion:

For a free initial telephone discussion, please call us on 0207404 3004 or email info@ikpsolicitors.com and we will be touch shortly.

We are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

If you require urgent assistance, please contact us on our emergency number on 07738802993.

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What is importation of drugs?

If you have been arrested or charged with ‘conspiracy to import drugs’ into the UK, you are being accused of involvement in a criminal conspiracy. This means that you do not need to be directly involved, merely being involved in the planning of the conspiracy is enough for involvement in the offence. Section 3 of the Misuse of Drugs Act prohibits the importation and exportation of controlled drugs.

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Section 70 of the CEMA- Fraudulent evasion of duty.

S.70 is a common section relating to a charge of importing drugs. It states that it is an offence to acquire property knowingly with an intention to defraud or to evade customs duty or to avoid any prohibition or restriction.

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Fraudulent Evasion

Under this Act, the prosecution are required to prove that you dishonestly attempted to evade a duty. Consequently, your state of mind at the time the drugs were imported is essential. Our Solicitors will provide expert advice tailored to your specific circumstances.

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Penalties for importing controlled drugs into the UK:

There are many factors which will affect the penalties on conviction for importation of drugs. Examples include the class and quantity of the drugs involved, your intention, and the extent of your involvement in the offence.

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The Sentencing guidelines set out the possible penalties established on the class of drug imported:

• Importing Class A drugs: carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment with a range of 3.5 to 16 years’ in custody.

• Importing Class B drugs: carries a maximum sentence of 14 years’ imprisonment and/or unlimited fine with a range of 12 weeks’ to 10 years’ in custody.

• Importing Class C drugs: carries a maximum sentence of 14 years’ imprisonment and/or unlimited fine and a range of a community order to 8 years’ in custody.

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Your participation in the offence will be highly relevant when the Court determines your sentence, should you be convicted, or plead guilty. There are three roles, a ‘leading role’, a ‘significant role’, or a ‘lesser role’. A sentence imposed for a ‘leading role’ will be longer than a sentence imposed for a defendant deemed to have a ‘lesser role’. The Judge is also required to take into account any aggravating factors which could potentially result in a sentence being increased and mitigating factors which will likely reduce a sentence. 

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Funding for your case:

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Police Station Representation:

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When you are arrested or interviewed under caution at a police station, you are entitled to free legal advice. You will have the option of using a duty solicitor to represent you or requesting your own choice of legal representation. For the offence of importation of drugs, we highly recommend using our specialist solicitors instead of a duty solicitor, who may not be as experienced in these often complex drug offences. We offer free and independent legal advice at the police station 24/7 in emergencies, or we can arrange a voluntary interview for you to attend the police station.

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If you are charged with importation of drugs or any drug offences, you will initially appear in the Magistrates’ Court.  In serious allegations, your case will be moved to the Crown Court after this initial hearing.

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You may be eligible for Legal Aid to help fund your case in the form of a Representation Order.

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Magistrates’ Court:

In order to be granted a Representation Order to cover your legal costs in a Magistrates’ Court, you will be required to pass a means test in order to prove your financial situation to show the need of monetary assistance. You will also be required to pass a merit test to show that your defence is ‘in the interests of justice’. It is important to note that the funding you may be given will not always cover the whole of your costs and you may need provide part of the costs for your defence.

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Crown Court:

As with the Magistrates’ Court, you will also need to prove a means test, but the merit test will not apply here. However, if you are found not guilty, any financial contribution that you have been required to make will be refunded back to you.

How do I get in contact?

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If you are facing allegations of importation of drugs, do not hesitate to contact us on 0207 404 3004. Our specialist criminal defence solicitors can offer you a free initial consultation. All conversations will be dealt with in confidentiality. Alternatively, please email Ben Bansal at BenB@ikpsolicitors.com or Pratik Patel at PratikP@ikpsolicitors.com 

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We are available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.

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If you have been arrested or are due to attend Court imminently and require urgent assistance, please contact us on our emergency number on 07738802993.

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Our head office is in London however, we can assist you wherever you are.