Defending Charges of Importing Steroids
The laws surrounding the importation of steroids can seem confusing; it is possible to legally buy steroids in another country and bring them into the UK on your person, for your own personal use.
It is not legal to order steroids on the internet, or to bring them into the country with the intention of supplying others.
If you find yourself being investigated or facing charges of importing steroids, then you need to take expert legal advice as soon as possible – the charge of importation of steroids is serious and can carry a penalty of an unlimited fine or up to 14 years in prison.
At Draycott Browne, we have decades of experience in defending clients against all kinds of drug offence charges, and talking to one of our expert criminal defence solicitors will put you in a much stronger position. We understand all of the complexities of this area of the law, and will quickly be able to establish the strongest defence strategy available to achieve the best outcome for you. We can represent you at each and every stage of proceedings, offering clear and effective advice. We will interrogate the evidence against you, identifying any flaws or weaknesses in the case, and will work to have the case dropped where there is not enough evidence against you, or to secure the minimum possible sentence if a conviction is inevitable.
Call the number at the top of this page to speak to a member of our team today, or fill out the enquiry form and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
What are the penalties for importing steroids?
The penalties given for importing steroids depend on a multitude of factors; the quantity, type and value of the steroids imported, the method of importation, the intended distribution and use of the drugs, and your role in the importation will all have an impact on the sentence given. If it appears that the importation was carried out on a commercial scale with the intention of supplying others, it is likely that a prison sentence of between two and four years will be given. You could also potentially be charged with conspiracy to supply steroids.
However, the maximum penalty if convicted of importation of steroids is an unlimited fine and/or 14 years imprisonment. The greater your involvement in the crime, and the higher the value of the steroids, the higher your sentence is likely to be. Even in less severe cases, if your case is heard in court and you are convicted, you will have a criminal record that will now show on any CRB check. You will also face the confiscation of any assets or money that you acquired as a result of any criminal activity. These penalties can have a considerable impact on your life, so it’s imperative that you give yourself the best chance in the case against you.
What will happen during an investigation into importing steroids?
If you find yourself involved in an investigation into the importation of steroids, it is likely to be a very worrying time, and it is important that you know your basic legal rights. Initially, the police are likely to obtain a search warrant so that they can obtain evidence against you. If this happens they will search your property and investigate your computer, mobile devices and social media accounts. After the search has taken place, you may need to attend a police interview, either voluntarily or following arrest. The police will ask you questions and the interview will be recorded so that anything you say can be used as evidence if the case goes to court. At this stage, it’s crucial that you have legal representation to avoid doing or saying something that may harm your defence case, which is why we advise never attending an interview without your solicitor present. You are entitled to free legal representation and you can use the duty solicitor provided, or you can choose your own lawyer. It is in the best interest of your case to take advice from an experienced criminal defence solicitor before speaking to the police so that they can brief you in advance, make sure that you know what to expect and recommend the best way of handling the interview.
You are not obliged to answer any questions asked by the police, and your solicitor should take the time to understand your case and assess your legal situation before you do so. Following the interview, you may be released with no further action taken if there is no evidence or case against you, or you may be released under investigation, although you could be rearrested at a later date if the investigation continues. If the police believe they have enough evidence to detain you, you may be kept in custody or charged with the importation of steroids or a related offence. If charged, a date for the hearing will be set, and you may be kept in custody until the hearing, or released on bail depending on the circumstances. At Draycott Browne, we have extensive experience of importation of steroid cases, and we are well-placed to advise and represent you at any stage of an investigation.
How are charges of importation of steroids defended?
No two cases are the same, and the best line of defence against the charges against you will depend entirely on the circumstances. There are a number of defences however – one being that the steroids you are accused of importing were actually for your own personal use, and if it is possible to prove that you brought them into the country personally with the sole intention of taking them yourself, then it may be possible to have the case dropped. If you are wrongfully accused of importing steroids, or only had minimal involvement in a crime that has been committed, it may be possible to prove this by scrutinising various types of evidence that might be available, such as CCTV footage, DNA evidence, mobile phone and financial data in order to support your defence.
If you did have some level of involvement, our legal experts can advise you on the best course of action in terms of mitigating the charges against you and achieving the fairest sentence available. We will ensure that your rights are upheld at all times, whilst ensuring that your level of involvement is accurately represented and that the drugs in question are analysed and fairly valued. Our two decades of experience in this area of law and our reputation for being one of the top criminal law firms in the country mean that with our expertise in your corner, you can be sure that you have the most robust and effective defence strategy in place to fight the charges against you.
Why choose Draycott Browne?
Our fierce and tenacious commitment to our clients over the last two decades has earnt us our formidable reputation, and we consistently achieve excellent results for our clients. We build strong defences against drug offence charges of all natures, and if you need representation against charges of importation of steroids, speak to us today. We understand extensively the intricacies of the UK drug laws, and are always ahead of the changes and updates to the law, so you can be assured that we have the specialist skills and knowledge required to handle your case effectively.
You can contact us 24 hours a day, seven days a week – so if you are facing charges of importation of steroids, get in touch as soon as possible for a free initial consultation. We will offer you expert and tailored legal advice and representation at any stage of an enquiry, whether you have already been charged, or before you attend an initial police interview. Whatever the situation you find yourself in, we will listen to you and offer guidance, making sure that you always know what to expect and what you need to do next.
Contact our Importation of Steroids Defence Lawyers
If you or a loved one is accused of importing steroids with intent to supply, it is essential that you engage the expertise of criminal defence solicitors who will be able to help and advise you on a defence strategy as soon as possible. By entrusting your case to us, you can be assured that you will be working with a team of highly skilled and committed legal specialists who have a thorough and comprehensive knowledge of the law.
As one of the UK's leading Drug Offence Solicitors, we are highly regarded nationally across the legal profession and noted for consistently delivering positive results for our clients.
Our expert team acts regularly for clients in Manchester, Preston, Blackpool, Liverpool, Leeds, Nottingham, Birmingham, and London. As recognised Serious Crime Lawyers we can represent you wherever you live in England and Wales.
Our legal team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you or somebody you know has been arrested and needs expert legal representation, contact Draycott Browne today.