Ian Lewis and Henry Williams of JMW Solicitors successfully represented DS, a man of good character employed in an executive position, indicted on charges of Importation of a Psychoactive Substance and Money Laundering.

JMW Solicitors were instructed post-Charge following a 5-year investigation.

The case was presented as the largest prosecution for importation of a psychoactive substance since the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016 came into force.

All six defendants faced allegations of conspiracy to import approximately 92 million canisters of Nitrous Oxide into the UK from Holland and Taiwan across a two-year period. The second count of money laundering concerned the transfer in excess of £13m across various bank accounts over the same period.

DS was the Director of a company through which Nitrous Oxide was imported into the UK through and the registered holder of two bank accounts through which proceeds of the sale of the Nitrous Oxide passed.

The prosecution relied on extensive evidence of communications the Defendants as well as with the ultimate purchasers of the Nitrous Oxide to support the assertion that the Nitrous Oxide was destined for supply for human consumption. It was the Prosecution’s case that all defendants were fully aware of misuse of the Nitrous Oxide.

The Prosecution’s case initially was that DS was in control of the business he was Director of, but the Defence were able to demonstrate through detailed disclosure requests that this was incorrect, and the Prosecution conceded that a large volume of correspondence bearing his name was not authored or sent by him.

The case lasted 3 months before Leeds Crown Court. The jury returned unanimous Not Guilty verdicts against DS.

As a result of their efforts, Ian Lewis and Henry Williams received the following feedback from DS:

“Ian Lewis and Henry Williams were absolutely amazing. They told me straight away they were going to look after me and do everything in their power to give me my life back - and without a doubt they stuck to their word. They quite literally saved my life.

My dealings thereafter were predominantly with Henry on my actual defence. I can't put into words just how incredible Henry was throughout. He was empathetic, understanding, patient and so supportive. He took the time to listen to me and got to know me as a person. This was so important to me as for the first time I felt I was dealing with someone who genuinely wanted to help me and give me my life back rather than think about money.

I cannot recommend this company and Henry highly enough. No one ever wants or expects to be charged with a crime they've not committed but this is why you need legal representation. JMW and Henry particularly are different. It isn't just a service or a business to them - they genuinely care about you. They put you first and will do everything in their power to win.”

DS was expertly represented at trial by Richard Furlong of Mountford Chambers, and Alexandra Monaghan of Crucible Chambers, who were exceptional throughout.

Mr Furlong provided the following feedback for Henry Williams:

“I just wanted to put in writing my appreciation of Henry’s role. I appreciate he is quite newly qualified but he did an absolutely fantastic job. Throughout the trial even when he wasn’t there, he kept the client on the straight and narrow - a constant reassuring presence in the background, always supportive and dealing efficiently with the client’s, many, many concerns. His communication with Alexandra and me was excellent - just at the right level. He was a complete credit to the firm and is a real star in the making. It’s not often you meet a criminal solicitor at his level of that standard.”