controlled drugs
Dangerous drugs that are subject to criminal regulation. In the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 these are grouped in three classes: A, B, and C. Class A is the most dangerous and includes opium and its natural and synthetic derivatives (e.g. morphine and heroin), cocaine, and Ecstasy. Class B includes amphetamines and C—the least dangerous class—includes anabolic steroids and benzodiazepine antidepressants. It is an offence to possess a controlled drug or to supply or offer it to another.

Under the Drug Trafficking Offences Act 1986, the Crown Court must impose a confiscation order when a person who has benefited from drug trafficking is sentenced for a related offence. The amount of the order is the proceeds of the offender’s trafficking or, if less, the amount realizable from his property. Imprisonment follows any default. The Act also penalizes those assisting in the retention of drug trafficking proceeds or disclosing information likely to prejudice a drug trafficking investigation. Under the Crime (Sentences) Act 1997 there is an automatic seven-year minimum sentence on third-time dealers in Class A drugs. However, judges may give a lesser sentence if the court considers the minimum would be unjust in all the circumstances. See also psychoactive substances.

• proof of age
• proof of birth
• proof of handwriting
• proof of marriage
• proper law of a contract
• property
• property adjustment order
• property in goods
• property register
• proponent
• proportionality
• propositus
• propounder
• proprietary estoppel
• proprietor
• proprietorship register
• prorogation
• proscribed organization
• prosecution
• prosecutor
• prospectus
• prostitution
• protected characteristics
• protected child
• protected goods