UK - Ketamine and UK Law

[lockon1977]

Hi everyone,could anyone tell me what would happen if you was arrested with 4 litres of ketamine,would it be a jail sentance,or fine or both

[Paracelsus]

4 L (I assume you mean a 100 mg/mL injectable solution) will most likely be interpreted as possession with intent to supply. Which would probably mean a jail sentence.

[chinpokomaster]

"Ketamine is a Class C drug which means that it's illegal to possess it and to supply it. Possession can get you up to two years in prison and/or an unlimited fine. Supplying someone else, even your friends, can get you 14 years in jail and/or an unlimited fine."

Talk to Frank

[lockon1977]

well SWIM is getting done for intent to supply,and doing it as class A

[Fantasian]

Originally Posted by lockon1977

well SWIM is getting done for intent to supply,and doing it as class A

KEtamine is certainly not class A, and SWIY should get a lawyer and try to sort out a loophole or way out of it if at all possible, what were the circumstances?

[lockon1977]

It was found in the boot of his car,also money,

[PingoTango]

If it the was liquid k, it could be interpreted as "prepared for injection", which would instantly make it a Class A, wouldn't it?

[Twiglet]

Originally Posted by PingoTango

"prepared for injection", which would instantly make it a Class A, wouldn't it?

Swim thought ketamine was class C, but also thought any drug prepared for injection was class A, or does it have to be more prepared (in a syringe maybe)?

[Paracelsus]

Most likely not. Pharmaceutical ketamine (which is used medically used, not only in veterinary medicine) is in liquid, injectable form.

[Pondlife]

Originally Posted by lockon1977

could anyone tell me what would happen if you was arrested with 4 litres of ketamine,would it be a jail sentance,or fine or both

As other members have mentioned, Ketamine is a Class C drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act. Ketamine was made a Class C drug in the 2005 amendment to this act, which stated:

In Part 3 of Schedule 2 to the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971[2] (which specifies the drugs which are subject to control under that Act as Class C drugs), in paragraph 1(a) after "4-Hydroxy-n-butyric acid"[3] insert "Ketamine".

4 litres is a large amount, and may be considered as too large to be purely for personal use. Therefore the Police/CPS may consider possession with intent to supply.

What a person in this situation must try to avoid is a charge of supplying or offering to supply, as this is a more serious charge. Note that this applies even if no charge is made. Sometimes the police may encourage someone to admit to this charge with words like "we know you're not a dealer. You just gave some to your friends for free" or similar words. A wise person would not admit to this, or anything else in front of the police, but would keep it shut and ask to speak to a lawyer.

well SWIM is getting done for intent to supply,and doing it as class A

I don't understand this. K is Class C, not A. I know about the "prepared for injection" clause, but that only affects Class B drugs, not Class C. The wording used at the end of the list in Part I (Class A drugs) is on the original 1971 version of the act:

Any preparation designed for administration by injection which includes a substance or product for the time being specified in any of paragraphs 1 to 3 of Part II of this Schedule.

Where "Part II" is the list of Class B drugs. and Paragraphs 1 to 3 represent the list.

I presume that SWIY has talked to a lawyer about this?

Please let us know how SWIM gets on, and post any further questions that you or he may have.

[lockon1977]

Thanks for your advice guys ill let you know how swim gets on,