Criminal law

Drug charges,
thoroughly defended.

Whether the allegation is possession or supply, the evidence needs close scrutiny. We test every part of it, from the search to the forensic results.

24-hour line 01582 853 783 Request a callback
  • Band 1 for CrimePreviously ranked, Chambers & Partners
  • Legal 500 Leading FirmPreviously recognised
  • Highly CommendedLaw Society Excellence Awards 2021
  • Day and nightPolice station attendance at any hour

Drug offences and the law

Most drug offences arise under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, which divides controlled drugs into Classes A, B and C. Class A includes heroin and cocaine, Class B includes cannabis, and Class C includes some tranquillisers and anabolic steroids. The class of drug, the quantity and the role you are alleged to have played all affect how seriously a case is treated and which court hears it.

The line between possession and possession with intent to supply is often drawn by inference: quantity, packaging, cash, scales or messages on a phone. Those inferences can be challenged. Where a person has been exploited, for example in county lines activity, the Modern Slavery Act 2015 may provide a defence in some circumstances. Supply offences can also lead to confiscation proceedings under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.

Early advice matters. Searches, arrests and interviews often happen quickly, and what you say at the police station can shape the whole case. Our solicitors attend police stations 24 hours a day, examine the lawfulness of searches and the reliability of forensic and phone evidence, and represent clients personally in court.

What we do for you

  • 24-hour police station attendance after arrest
  • Challenges to search procedure and evidence handling
  • Review of forensic testing, purity and quantity
  • Scrutiny of phone downloads and messaging evidence
  • Advice on confiscation and cash seizure proceedings

Allegations we defend

We defend drug allegations of every kind, from simple possession to large-scale conspiracies.

  1. Possession

    Possession of a controlled drug under section 5(2) of the 1971 Act.

  2. Possession with intent to supply

    Allegations inferred from quantity, packaging, cash or phone messages.

  3. Supply and being concerned in supply

    Allegations of supplying, offering to supply or being involved in supply.

  4. Production and cultivation

    Including allegations of cultivating cannabis under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.

  5. Importation

    Allegations of importing or exporting controlled drugs.

  6. Allowing premises to be used

    Occupiers or managers alleged to have knowingly permitted drug activity on premises.

  7. Conspiracy to supply

    Allegations of agreeing with others to supply controlled drugs.

  8. Psychoactive substances

    Allegations under the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016.

How we defend a drug case

We focus on how the evidence was obtained as much as on what it appears to show.

  1. Arrest and interview

    We attend the police station 24 hours a day and advise you before interview, including on any search or seizure that has taken place.

  2. Charge and first hearing

    We explain the charge, advise on plea and bail, and represent you at the first hearing in the magistrates’ court.

  3. Preparing the defence

    We scrutinise the search, the forensic testing and any phone evidence, and instruct independent expert witnesses where the case requires it.

  4. Trial or resolution

    We test the prosecution case at trial or, where appropriate, present mitigation that sets out your circumstances fully and fairly.

Attiq Malik

Key contact

Attiq Malik

Principal Solicitor

A prominent criminal defence solicitor, Attiq has won acquittals on Channel 4’s ‘24 Hours in Police Custody’ and been praised by the Law Society of England and Wales. He specialises in serious crime and employment law.

  • Previously Band 1 for Crime, Chambers
  • Higher Rights advocate
  • Duty solicitor
He has terrific courage and belief in the system, showing that it works. He’s out there fighting the good fight.
24-hour line 01582 853 783 Request a callback

What our clients say

Real feedback from the people we have represented, published on ReviewSolicitors and Google.

Craig Woods
Craig Woods
★★★★★
Contacted liberty law and from start to finish very happy with the whole process very helpful polite and easy to deal with they real do now there stuff
Karen
Karen
★★★★★
I could not recommend this firm enough. They manage to maintain complete professionalism whilst also being personable. Rasheda and Dean clearly explained every step of the process from beginning to end, with Dean taking the time to explain all of legal jargon. I really appreciated this as it made, what started as a daunting experience, so much easier to complete. I am so glad that I took the time to look around and read reviews before choosing any local firm. It really made a difference. Thank you Liberty Law.
Muhammad Khan
Muhammad Khan
★★★★★
Liberty Law took over my case at its hardest point. Dean Garrett was calm, straight-talking and on top of every detail from the first call: he strengthened my case, instructed an outstanding barrister, and his judgement was right at every turn. Rasheda kept everything running smoothly behind the scenes — calls arranged, documents where they needed to be, nothing ever too much trouble. My case concluded on day two of the final hearing, with an outcome I was very pleased with. They believed in my case when it mattered, and they delivered. Highly recommended.
Chapo
Chapo
★★★★★
I had an excellent experience. They were professional, knowledgeable, and always kept me informed throughout the process. They took the time to answer my questions, provided clear advice, and worked hard to achieve a great outcome. I highly recommend their services to anyone looking for reliable and dedicated legal representation. If you are looking for professionalism and results you have come to the right place!!
Tinksy 37
Tinksy 37
★★★★★
Cannot thank the guys enough my solicitor went absolutely above and beyond
Abdul Basit
Abdul Basit
★★★★★
I contacted Liberty Law Solicitors regarding one of my legal cases. Throughout the past year, Mr. Faris Nazar handled my case with exceptional dedication, honesty, sincerity, and professionalism. Thanks to his hard work and expertise, I was ultimately successful in my case. I can confidently say that this firm is highly professional and genuinely committed to serving its clients. They have earned my trust, and I would highly recommend their services.👏
Mohammed
Mohammed
★★★★★
Where do I even start from the start to the very end they delivered I can’t thank the team and Itsam Malik enough for the results we was looking at 16-20 years and they got it down to 3 years which turned into 10 months the whole team and Itsam malik are great people!
M. T
M. T
★★★★★
I cannot thank Liberty Law Solicitors enough for the support and representation I received during a very difficult and stressful time. My solicitor Dean Garrett was honest, clear, and professional from the outset, explaining my situation and the possible outcomes without giving false reassurance. I really appreciated that level of transparency. The preparation for the hearing was thorough and made a real difference. I felt well guided throughout the process and was able to stay calm and focused because of the support I received. I am very grateful for the work carried out on my case and would highly recommend Liberty Law Solicitors to anyone in need of strong, honest, and professional legal representation.
Kamal Hussain
Kamal Hussain
★★★★★
I recently sought advice and support from Atiq at Liberty Law Solicitors regarding an employment matter. I’m genuinely grateful for the way Atiq handled everything. He made the whole process feel manageable, took the time to explain things clearly, and provided steady reassurance throughout. Knowing I had someone knowledgeable and dependable guiding me made a big difference. It’s incredibly reassuring to have Atiq and the team at Liberty Law in your corner. I can’t recommend them highly enough.
View more reviews

Questions people ask

General information, not advice on your case. For that, speak to us — the first conversation costs nothing.

What is the difference between possession and supply?

Possession means having a controlled drug in your custody or control. Supply covers giving, selling or sharing drugs with someone else, and you can be charged with possession with intent to supply if the prosecution say the drugs were not for your own use. That intention is often inferred from the circumstances, which is why the evidence needs careful scrutiny.

Can I be charged if the drugs were not mine?

Possession is not the same as ownership, but the prosecution must prove you knew you had something in your control. The Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 also provides specific defences, for example where you neither believed nor suspected, nor had reason to suspect, that the item was a controlled drug. Whether these apply depends on the facts.

What if I was forced or exploited into dealing?

Young and vulnerable people are sometimes exploited into transporting or selling drugs. The Modern Slavery Act 2015 can provide a defence in some circumstances, and exploitation can also be relevant to charging decisions and sentence. We can advise on whether a referral or defence may apply to you.

Could I lose money or property?

Following a conviction, the prosecution can ask the court to make a confiscation order under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. Cash seized during an investigation can also be the subject of separate civil forfeiture proceedings. We advise on both and can challenge the figures relied on.

Nothing on this page is legal advice, and no solicitor–client relationship is created by reading it. Every case turns on its own facts.

Tell us what has happened.

The first conversation costs nothing and commits you to nothing. Two offices, one emergency line, and a solicitor at the end of it.

Luton office

01582 853 783
43 Windmill Road
Luton LU1 3XL

9am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday

London office

0208 528 1019
107–111 Fleet Street
London EC4A 2AB

9am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday

Request a confidential callback

Sent straight to a solicitor. We reply within two working hours, and immediately outside them if the matter is urgent.

"*" indicates required fields

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Anything you write here is confidential and covered by legal privilege. We use your details only to answer your enquiry — see our privacy policy.

Say nothing until we are sitting beside you. Before you answer anything, call us. You should not face that interview alone. Do not go in there without a solicitor. Two in the morning is when we work hardest. You reach a solicitor, not a call centre.

The first conversation is free, confidential, and privileged from the first word. We attend police stations across England and Wales, day and night.

24-hour line 01582 853 783