Five-Year Sentence Secured Despite Alleged Leading Role in Class A Drug Conspiracy

SMW represented a young client who appeared before Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court for conspiracy to supply Class A drugs, namely cocaine, together with four counts of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs. Following proceedings, our client received a sentence of five years’ imprisonment.

The case arose from a police investigation into a Manchester-based organised crime group, during which officers intercepted a one-kilogram block of cocaine sent to our client by post. The prosecution alleged that a further parcel of a similar weight had previously been delivered. Upon arrest, our client was found in possession of a mobile phone which, following forensic analysis, was shown to operate two Telegram channels advertising large quantities of Class A drugs for sale, including kilogram amounts, with payment in cryptocurrency.

Our client entered guilty pleas at an early stage of the proceedings. A carefully drafted basis of plea was agreed, which limited the total weight of drugs attributed to him and addressed the prosecution’s allegations that others were working on his behalf. Although the Crown sought to categorise the case as involving a leading role and Category 1 quantities—carrying a sentencing guideline starting point of 14 years’ imprisonment—we successfully advanced submissions to substantially reduce our client’s sentencing exposure.

Our client was 19 years old at the time of sentence and of previous good character. We prepared a substantial mitigation bundle, including personal references and evidence of educational qualifications achieved both before arrest and while in custody. It was also significant that the offending took place when our client was aged between 16 and 18, which the court accepted as a key mitigating factor.

In light of all the circumstances, the court imposed a sentence of five years’ imprisonment, a result so favourable that the Crown considered whether to appeal on the basis of undue leniency.

The case was prepared by Amy Cox, assisted by Annie Loh. Jonathan Duffy of 7 Harrington Street Chambers instructed as counsel.