Opium has a considerably lower street value than other class A drugs, including particularly heroine and cocaine. Sentences for possession with intent to supply must reflect this lower value. On a contested case involving 40kg would be 14 years and upwards, and for 4kg was 10 years and upwards. Though equally harmful in principle, there was a difference when considered weight to weight for the different drugs. The move towards consideration of the purity of the drugs found supported this view. The court had taken advice from the Sentencing advisory panel in accordance with the Act
Citations:
Times 04-Aug-2000, Gazette 28-Sep-2000, [2000] CA Crim 52
Links:
Statutes:
Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, Crime and Disorder Act 1998 81(2)
Jurisdiction:
England and Wales
Criminal Sentencing
Updated: 31 May 2022; Ref: scu.158702