Supplying a prohibited drug is a serious offence and can take on different forms. For the supply of drugs the penalties can be quite severe and the starting point is often a full time imprisonment sentence.
When people think of “supply” they usually only consider the situation where a person (such as a drug dealer) sells a drug to another. However, money exchanging hands is not an element of the offence and someone can be guilty of supplying a drug just by giving it to someone else. Further, buying a drug for someone else, or gathering money together with others and then purchasing the drugs and splitting them can be considered supply.
A person can also be charged with supply if they are charged with possession of a prohibited drug and the weight is such that it is “deemed” to be for supply; even if there has not been a transaction of drugs passing from the person to another. There are certain weight amounts for different drugs, where the courts ‘deem’ them to be for supply. You can read more about these amounts in our criminal law articles.
The onus falls on the accused to show that the drugs were for personal use and not for the purpose of supply. There are many different situations where it can come down to a legal technicality as to whether someone is found guilty of supply or not.
Supply offences include:
How can Prime Lawyers help you?
The Criminal lawyers at Prime Lawyers are experienced in dealing with drug-related matters. Should you be charged with a supply offence, contact one of our lawyers who will be able to thoroughly review your file and provide you with advice no the best course of action to take in dealing with your matter. If the police's case against you is weak, we will negotiate to have charges reduced or withdrawn and will fight vigorously to achieve the best result for you.