Summary
Our client was arrested at Luton Airport with suitcases containing large amounts of cannabis. Following a careful and detailed analysis of our client’s personal circumstances, a National Referral Mechanism was made on the basis that he was being criminally exploited. This returned positive conclusive grounds that our client was a victim of modern slavery and the Prosecution offered no evidence against him.
Details of the Case
The Police arrested our client and a co-defendant at Luton Airport, where they seized three locked suitcases containing large quantities of cannabis valued at £240,000. Our client was later charged with possession with intent to supply class B drugs.
The Police suggested that there had been a frequent pattern of both defendants flying back and forth to Belfast, alleging that our client was frequently involved in transporting drugs. Our client denied the charge and denied the suggestion that he had any prior involvement in a similar operation.
Our Defence
At the time of the allegation, our client was a student at a London University. He stated that he had been threatened by a third party into transporting the suitcase and felt as though he had no choice but to agree. However, he maintained that at no point did he touch the contents inside the case, nor was he aware of its contents.
Partner Glen Henry took on our client’s case, where he submitted a National Referral Mechanism (NRM) on the basis of criminal exploitation. Glen submitted that our client had been coerced into transporting the suitcases and that he was fearful for his life if he were to refuse.
Given the amount of cannabis in the suitcases, even with our client’s lesser role in the overall operation he was at risk of a substantial penalty, potentially ranging up to 3 years in prison.
Court
The NRM ultimately returned positive conclusive grounds, confirming that our client had been criminally exploited and was therefore a victim of modern slavery. At court, our client was represented by barrister Jordan Santos-Sindes of 9BR Chambers, who made strong representations to the prosecution that these findings wholly supported our client’s defence of duress. Thanks to the strength of these submissions, the prosecution offered no evidence against our client and he was acquitted of the charge.
Our client was extremely grateful to Glen and Jordan for their support during such a distressing time. Without Glen’s expertise, our client may have faced a lengthy prison sentence with long-term consequences for his future.
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