A drug conspiracy charge means that the police or prosecution believe two or more people agreed to be involved in supplying, producing, or importing controlled drugs. It doesn’t require drugs to have been physically found at the time of arrest — the offence lies in the agreement itself. The law comes from the Criminal Law Act 1977 and the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, and covers all drug classes (A, B, and C).
Conspiracy charges are often based on long-term investigations, sometimes involving phone evidence, surveillance, or EncroChat and other encrypted messaging systems. The prosecution doesn’t need to prove that the plan was completed — only that an agreement existed and that the accused person took part knowingly.
Why these cases are so serious
Conspiracy to supply drugs is treated by the courts as one of the most serious drug offences. Sentences are often lengthy and depend on the role played, the class and quantity of drugs involved, and whether the alleged agreement was commercial or social in nature.
However, conspiracy cases are rarely straightforward. People can be accused simply through association — such as contact with others who are under investigation — or through messages taken out of context. The evidence can be vast and technical, including months of phone downloads, surveillance logs, and cell-site data. It takes a skilled defence team to unpick it all and show whether a genuine criminal agreement ever existed.
Why you need a solicitor
A good Criminal Defence Solicitor with experience in conspiracy cases will know how to challenge the prosecution’s assumptions and expose weaknesses in the evidence. They will:
- Find out the exact basis of the allegation and what role you are said to have played.
- Review disclosure thoroughly, including phone downloads, EncroChat or encrypted message data, and surveillance records.
- Examine whether the prosecution can actually prove an agreement between you and others — not just contact or friendship.
- Challenge how the evidence was obtained, particularly if digital material came from covert operations or foreign law enforcement.
- Instruct forensic, cell-site, or communication experts to interpret complex digital material and clarify what it really shows.
- Work with experienced Criminal Defence Barristers or King’s Counsel to prepare your case for court, exploring all defences such as lack of knowledge, duress, or mistaken identity.
- If convicted, prepare mitigation and advise on possible appeals, including challenges to sentence length or the fairness of the evidence.
Drug conspiracy investigations can be long, stressful, and highly technical. Having an experienced solicitor ensures that your defence is properly investigated, that disclosure is complete, and that every piece of evidence is examined in context rather than accepted at face value.
If you have any questions about drug conspiracy allegations, EncroChat investigations, or how police handle digital evidence — or if you need help identifying a solicitor experienced in these cases — please contact us using the links below.