High sentences for drug related crimes

Dorset Police are reminding the public of the severe sentences that drug-related crimes carry, as National Tackling Drugs Week continues.

CLASS A DRUGS
If you are caught supplying – you could receive life imprisonment
If you are caught producing drugs – you could receive a 14-year prison sentence
If you are caught in possession for person use – you could face a 7-year prison sentence

CANNABIS – CLASS B
Caught in possession for own use – you could receive up to 5 years in prison

The consequences of drug-related crime are not simply limited to custodial sentences. Thanks to the Proceeds of Crime Act, money and assets can be seized from those who have benefited financially from crime.

In total, Dorset Police has recovered £6.2 million worth of assets from major drug dealers in the Dorset area over the past five years and has made the largest drug-related cash seizure in the country – forfeiting £1,780,890 in cash from Hussein Tourh’s property in November 2006.

Tourh was sentenced to 25 years behind bars at Bournemouth Crown Court in December 2007 for his involvement in a large organised drugs business.

Dorset Police Assistant Chief Constable (Operations) Mike Glanville said: “Dorset Police treats drug-related crime very seriously and we are committed to working with our partners to tackle this menace…

“…Tackling drugs such as heroin and crack cocaine is a priority for Dorset Police and we work closely with Dorset Probation to manage offenders coming out of prison with drug problems.”

He also said the police work closely with schools, Dorset’s three Drug and Alcohol Action Teams and with the local authorities to focus on prevention.

For more details on the wide range of support and advice available in Dorset to help tackle drugs, please visit www.dorset.police.uk