Latest news with #classA
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Cannabis 'is worse for our society than heroin,' police tsars say - as they demand government upgrade it to a class A drug
More than a quarter of police and crime commissioners have written to the policing minister calling for cannabis to be upgraded to a class A substance, The Mail on Sunday can reveal. In the stark letter to Dame Diana Johnson MP, seen exclusively by this newspaper, 14 police chiefs claim the effect of the drug in society 'may be far worse' than heroin. They warn that 'we cannot allow this to become the Britain of the future'. And they also hit out at the recent report by the London Commission – backed by Labour London mayor Sir Sadiq Khan – which suggested decriminalising small amounts of cannabis, which is currently a class B drug. 'Heroin can kill quickly but the cumulative effect of cannabis in our society may be far worse,' the letter states. It adds that class A status – which comes with potential life sentences for suppliers – was the way forward 'rather than effective decriminalising'. And renowned psychiatrist Professor Sir Robin Murray, of King's College London, told The Mail on Sunday that the UK may now be 'at the beginnings of an epidemic of cannabis-induced psychosis' which could overwhelm NHS mental health services. The commissioners also pointed to other countries where laws are laxer, warning that the US has seen 'unofficial pharmacies' selling cannabis and the powerful opiate fentanyl alongside one another, while Portugal has been forced to consider reversing drug decriminalisation after a 30-fold increase in psychosis. They said cannabis's effects were so devastating it had 'more birth defects associated with it than thalidomide' – the notorious morning sickness drug which caused deformities among thousands of babies in the 1950s and 1960s. Their warnings came after Marcus Monzo, 37, was last week found guilty of 14-year-old Daniel Anjorin's murder after he attacked him with a samurai sword in Hainault, east London, while in a state of cannabis-induced psychosis. David Sidwick, Police and Crime Commissioner for Dorset, said cannabis legislation was 'clearly not fit for purpose' and likened it to 'using a machete for brain surgery'. He added the public wanted to see 'tougher measures' for cannabis possession because it was a gateway to harder drugs. His Devon and Cornwall counterpart Alison Hernandez said: 'The fact that we've been so blase about cannabis in society means that people think it's legal and normal, and it's not. 'We've got to show them that it's not, and the way you do that is to be quite fierce in your enforcement arrangements.' Latest figures show three in four people caught with cannabis avoid appearing in court, while 87 per cent of children and young people in alcohol and drug treatment cited cannabis dependency, compared to 39 per cent for alcohol. Stuart Reece, an Australian clinician and cannabis researcher quoted in the letter said more than 90 per cent of hard drug addicts he encountered had started with cannabis. He said pro-cannabis campaigners had the view it was 'my right to use drugs and destroy my body and you will pay for it through the NHS'. Dr Karen Randall, a physician in the US state of Colorado where recreational cannabis was legalised in 2012, said healthcare costs linked to the drug are 'exorbitant'. A Home Office spokesman said: 'We work with partners across health, policing and wider public services to drive down drug use, ensure more people receive timely treatment and support, and make our streets and communities safer.'
BBC News
17-06-2025
- BBC News
Swindon drug dealer jailed after cuckooing victim
A drug dealer who was caught with Class A drugs worth more than £100,000 has been jailed for four years. Simon Huckvale, 36, of White Castle, Toothill, who was arrested in December at a house in Toothill, West Swindon, was also accused of 'cuckooing' - where the home of a vulnerable person is taken over by a criminal. During the arrest Swindon Crown Court heard he initially tried to run at police officers, before attempting to flee instead. He eventually pleaded guilty with intent to supply crack cocaine, cocaine and cannabis, being concerned in the supply of heroin, and for possessing criminal property. Searches of the property he was arrested at uncovered more than 200g of cocaine, 500g of crack cocaine, nearly 400g of heroin and more than a kilo of cannabis - an amount that could have yielded more than £120,000. Huckvale was jailed for four years at a sentencing hearing at Swindon Crown Court on 9 June. Speaking on behalf of Wiltshire Police PC Thomas confirmed his crimes had involved cuckooing for the purpose of supplying drugs, adding: "This practice often involves the most vulnerable in our society, who are then controlled by the criminal through the use of threats, leaving them feeling trapped in their own homes." "We also know from speaking to members of the public that Huckvale's arrest has had a significant impact on the supply of drugs within the community," he added.
The Sun
10-06-2025
- The Sun
Dramatic moment drug dealer leads cops on high-speed chase through posh estate – before officers smash his windows in
THIS is the dramatic moment a drug dealer raced ahead of cops in a high-speed chase before being cornered by officers. Connor Darwent, 27, led police on a terrifying five-mile pursuit after speeding away from officers and making his way across a historic country estate. 4 4 4 The drug dealer had been stopped while driving on the A46 towards Lincoln in his powerful BMW 1 Series by cops as he was wanted on suspicion of supplying class A drugs. Police body camera footage shows the dramatic moment Darwent sped away from the police block, prompting other cops to chase after him. Despite having his tyres shredded by a police stinger, Darwent reached blistering speeds racing his BMW down the main road, in hot pursuit of officers. After breaking off from the tarmac, the drug dealer took the chase onto the historic grounds of the 17th century manor Doddington Hall. He can be seen careering down a dirt track, with cops appearing to ask if they could engage in "tactical content" before Darwent returned to the main road. Reaching the end of the rugged path, Darwent swings a hard right turn - taking him and officers into a large field of crops. Here, however, the advantage turned to the police, as the chasing officers managed to ram and immobilise the drug dealer's car, bringing them to a screeching halt. Then, the two officers can be seen quickly jumping out of their vehicles to arrest Darwent and the other male in his vehicle. They can be seen smashing in the windows of the drug dealer's car, forcing them to show their hands as backup arrives. The two officers then drag Darwent and the other man out onto the ground to be arrested. Ex-Arsenal starlet jailed over plot to smuggle £600k of cannabis into UK Following the incredible police chase on May 24, 2022, Darwent admitted conspiracy to supply class A drugs and dangerous driving. He was jailed for two-and-a-half years on Thursday, June 5. Darwent was a courier who made regular journeys between Coventry and Skegness to reload the lucrative "Abs line". Police say the drug line was worth up to £252,000 to the gang, who supplied around 5.8kg of cocaine to dealers and users. Three other members of the group were also sentenced after admitting conspiracy to supply class A drugs. Kirsty Reilly, 32, drove drugs from Coventry to Skegness and was jailed for three years. Sarah Makey, 47, received a 21-month sentence, suspended for 18 months, and was ordered to do 80 hours of unpaid work. Her husband Nathan, 48, dealt drugs and sent out marketing messages on his phone on behalf of the holder of the Abs line - Alistair Renwick. Renwick was jailed for nine years in April while Makey will be sentenced in August. Liam Tomkins, 25, was jailed for three-and-a-half years in his absence after failing to appear at court. 4 The arrests are part of a satisfying conclusion to a major operation launched by Lincolnshire Police. In an attempt to crackdown on organised crime, the police unit launched an operation to tackle eight separate drug lines that had brought crack cocaine and heroine into the county's coastal towns. More than 70 people have been arrested since the operation was launched in September 2022 - with a cumulative prison sentence of more than 120 years. Detective Inspector Will Tharby, of the Serious and Organised Crime Unit, said: "Drug dealing reaches far beyond those directly involved in the exchange of money for drugs. "Its ripple effects fuel antisocial behaviour, robbery, burglary, and violence-not just among those entrenched in the drug trade, but across entire communities. "Families, neighbours, and local businesses all feel the weight of drug-related crime, facing its disruptive and often devastating consequences. "We've dismantled a thoroughly harmful operation, taken drugs off the streets, and sent a clear message - criminal networks will not thrive in Lincolnshire's communities."
BBC News
09-06-2025
- BBC News
Peterborough flat drugs raid sees two people arrested
Two people have been arrested following an early morning drugs raid in a city Police officers forced their way in to the property on Oxford Road in Millfield, Peterborough, on Friday, and found money and wraps of class A drugs. The raid was carried out after concerns of drug dealing were raised by residents.A man and a woman, in their 20s, were arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs, the force confirmed. Follow Peterborough news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Yahoo
Arrest made after suspected nitrous oxide and class A drugs found in car
Police have arrested a driver after suspected nitrous oxide and class A drugs were found in a car. Officers were patrolling Bolton town centre yesterday, June 6, when they saw a vehicle driving the wrong way up a one way street. Upon stopping the car, they reportedly saw "numerous bottles" of suspected nitrous oxide. Officers searched the driver and the vehicle, finding a "large quantity of suspected class A drugs", more nitrous oxide and balloons, mobile phones and a large amount of cash. Read more: Police make arrest after yob reportedly tried to unplug IRONMAN soundsystem Read more: Two bans from borough libraries given in incidents needing police support Read more: Hospital with 'impeccable care' given health watchdog verdict The male has been arrested on suspicion of possession of class A and C drugs with intent to supply, and the vehicle has been seized. A spokesperson for GMP Bolton said: "Whilst on patrol of Bolton town centre, PC Charlesworth and PC Monk spotted a vehicle contravening a one way street. Upon speaking to the driver, numerous bottles of suspected nitrous oxide were visible inside the car. "A Section 23 of the Misuse of Drugs Act search on both the driver and the vehicle located a large quantity of suspected class A drugs, further suspected nitrous oxide and balloons, a number of mobile phones and a large amount of cash. "The vehicle has been seized due to its suspected use in crime. The male has been arrested on suspicion of Possession of Class A and Class C Drugs with Intent to Supply, and remains in custody for questioning."
