Friend aught with small amount of drugs, scales and money - advice [UK]

Last night the police were in my friends house after an ambulance call, when we were downstairs - they searched through his drawers, obviously unwarranted and they found about 1.5-2G MDMA baggied in a couple of seperate bags, about £600, scales and 4/5 Ecstasy pills.

They took the drugs, left everything else which is now disposed... The question is should he clame the drugs are his for personal use, as are the scales (for weighing out mdma capsuals or bombs) and that the money is legitimately gained?

Whats the likely outcome?


Comments


[11 Points] Vendor_BBMC:

He may get a fine, or bound over to keep the peace, or a caution (basically a slap on the wrists and told not to be naughty again, for american readers).

MDMA is a class A like heroin, but the police are realists and don't give a fuck.

If it goes to court, it will be a magistrates court with no jury, where he will admit to possession and get fined a hundred quid or so. Its like a hospital casualty waiting room full of nutters where he will wait for hours in his suit and tie, be called in, then be back outside within 5 minutes having confirmed his name and address, holding a bit of paper with his fine payment details.

everybody has a set of scales nowadays.. The police will offer no intelligence information that he's a dealer.

He won't go to prison. Its just Buzz Killington when some mate can't handle his E and needs an ambulance when you are partying at home, and some copper's size 9s go in every room.

"Who here would like to hear a story about a bridge?" Sigh


[3 Points] ukthrowdataway:

Seeking legal counsel would be wise


[3 Points] Semper-V:

Whilst this is definitely serious, I don't think we're talking about prison time here. Everything can be framed as for personal use.

So, your friend buys for personal consumption. If it comes up, he had scales because it's a cheap way to check an expensive purchase. Different baggies because that was how it was sold to him. The cash is just his savings. If it's in your bank you can blow it on Amazon, so it makes sense to keep it at home.

Getting rid of the scales could bite him on the ass if he's not careful, as it might be seen as perverting the course of justice. IMO the best way to frame this would be to admit to owning them (only if/when it comes up!) and to having disposed of them, but only because they were for drugs and your mate has now sworn off of drugs for ever. He can see how stupid he's been, letting this habit spiral out of control. This is the wake-up call he needed. Etcetera etcetera. It doesn't necessarily matter if he's believed, this is about plausible deniability. Making it that much harder to prove intent to supply (and given that this was found in his house and not on his person, it would be a bit of a stretch for the prosecution anyhow).

Couple of caveats. The first is that I am not a lawyer, this is just stuff to consider from someone who's never seen the inside of a courtroom. The second is what's the deal with the ambulance? If someone went into renal failure on your mate's E or whatever, then that's is a whole different level of shit.


[1 Points] Novelty-Bobble:

Did they seize his phone? If yes and it's full of texts then he's in trouble. If not then he will be fine.


[1 Points] ShulginsCat:

What kind of protection does the UK law offer against unwarranted searches?


[1 Points] D1STURBED36:

lawyer

how obvious can it get


[1 Points] SecondChanceUsername:

They found all that and ONLY took the drugs?! Not even the cash(for them to pocket themselves?!) ...and they didn't charge your friend with anything before leaving? Well, if no charges were filed and LEO didn't say anything before they left, it seems like you should be good. Keep a clean house and stash away enough cash for emergency bail bond though.


[1 Points] DaMenehune:

Get a lawyer.


[1 Points] plutopete:

They've taken your drugs for themselves! If they suspect you are dealing you may get raided in a few weeks once your paranoia dies down, other than that they're going to have a good night at your expense.


[1 Points] Hank_Vendor:

Bbmc is pretty much bang on. except of course the fact that police will try and trick a confession out of anyone who they happen to have in the cell. their perceived realism is down to the "half empty" attitude of the CPS (who decide whether it is worth it for them to prosecute you. read: whether they think they will get a conviction.) so tell him to take his time answering anything. normally I'd be a strict advocate of shutting up. but seems as he actually clearly isn't a drug dealer. and they already found the gear in his drawer, that will do more harm than good. just be particularly careful about anything around the area of "getting it for my mates" etc.

he bought it, for himself. for personal use.


[1 Points] dilirio25:

[deleted]

What is this?


[0 Points] BreatheMyAir:

Get a great lawyer, sell stuff if you must to get the money.


[0 Points] DancingWindAway:

That battle is already lost. If they find a scale even if you only have a gram of weed they will charge you with distribution.

Telling the judge that you had the scale to control your own consumption will be dismissed by him.

And come on £600 in cash ? No judge in the world would believe in personal use.

Next time buy a hidden scale (there are all kinds e.g. computer mouse with hidden scale).