Brisbane & Gold Coast Criminal Lawyers

WHAT ARE DRUG OFFENCES?

In Queensland, these types of offences include the following:

• Minor possession offences of cannabis or party type drugs;
• Possession of relevant utensils and property used in the commission of a drug offence;
• Supplying drugs to other people;
• Large scale possession offending;
• Selling, supplying and receiving drugs from others or being involved in the business of buying and selling drugs which is an offence of trafficking;
• Moving drugs into correctional environments;
• Importation of drugs into Australia.

Was the Search Lawful?

A common question that is often asked. Here’s the answer. If the Police are wanting to search you or your property for drugs without a warrant it needs to be in the following circumstances or with a warrant if there is no warrant and if none of the below fit your circumstance, you should politely refuse:

• to hand over or serve a legal document;
• in urgent circumstances, such as when a person has been seriously injured or is about to be harmed;
• to investigate a traffic offence, e.g. to take a breath test for alcohol;
• to catch someone who has escaped from prison or from being arrested
• to search for evidence if they reasonably suspect it may otherwise be hidden or destroyed
• to arrest someone
• to reach a crime scene
• to detain someone under an anti-terrorism ‘preventative detention order’
• if they reasonably believe that the person they’re looking for is on your property.

Now, if the police have a warrant that allows them to enter your home, make sure you see it. You also need to make sure you are given a copy of the warrant.

Whether or not the search has been conducted or not, it’s important that you seek legal advice as soon as possible. Seeking advice early can minimise the risk of charges becoming more serious.

What are the Penalties for Drug Offences?

It’s a little too much to explore here because it will depend upon the category of the offence or offences of which you have been charged or are under investigation.

Call our Brisbane & Gold Coast Criminal Lawyers now to put us in the picture so we can advise accordingly.