Intent to supply and dealing
If you are found to be supplying or dealing drugs, the punishment is likely to be tough. Supplying drugs doesn’t just apply to dealers. If police suspect that you intend to share drugs with your friends, this is still considered to be supplying.
Being suspected of supplying drugs means you are much more likely to be charged. The amount of drugs found on you, and whether you have a criminal record, will be taken into account when a punishment is being decided.
Decisions to prosecute are taken by the Public Prosecution Service. The maximum sentences for intent to supply drugs are:
1. Up to life in prison or an unlimited fine (or both) for a Class A drug
2. Up to 14 years in prison or an unlimited fine (or both) for a Class B or Class C drug
Other restrictions
It is also important to note that if you are found guilty of a drug offence this will have significant implications for your future life. You may not be able to go into the career that you hoped and some countries will not let you in, even as a tourist, if you have been found guilty of a drug offence.
Penalties for possession or supplying
The penalties for drug offences depend on the class of drug involved. These penalties are enforced against those who do not have a valid prescription or licence to possess the drug in question. Thus it is not illegal for someone to possess heroin, a class A drug, so long as it was administered to them legally (by prescription).
Class A drugs attract the highest penalty, and imprisonment is both "proper and expedient". The maximum penalties possible are as follows:
Offence |
Court |
Class A |
Class B/Temporary class |
Class C |
Possession |
Magistrates |
6 months / £5000 fine |
3 months / £2500 fine |
3 months / £500 fine |
Crown |
7 years / unlimited fine |
5 years / unlimited fine |
2 years / unlimited fine |
Supply |
Magistrates |
6 months / £5000 fine |
6 months / £5000 fine |
3 months / £2000 fine |
Crown |
Life / unlimited fine |
14 years / unlimited fine |
14 years / unlimited fine |