Services

What Is “Possession with Intent to Supply” (PWITS)?

Possession with intent to supply is a serious offence whereby a person is alleged to have a controlled drug in their possession and an intention to supply it to another — whether or not financial profit is involved. 

Under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 and subsequent guidance, supply and PWITS offences for Class A, B and C drugs are treated with increased severity.

For example:

• Class A supply offences (including PWITS) will almost always justify prosecution. 

• Maximum penalties range depending on drug class, amount, role and historic record. 

Why Choose Powell Spencer & Partners for Your Defence?

• As London-based criminal defence solicitors, we specialise in serious drug offences including PWITS, large-scale supply, drug conspiracies and professional investigations.

• We provide urgent 24/7 access — early representation at the investigation stage can be critical to protect your rights, influence bail decisions and manage police interviews.

• We bring strategic, forensic defence: reviewing evidence (drugs found, packaging, scales, communications, financial records), challenging the supply intent, testing whether drugs were for personal use, exploring entrapment or proportionality.

• Our team handles every stage: police station, bail hearings, magistrates or Crown Court, trials, sentencing and appeals — tailored to both individuals and business-linked supply cases.

• Transparent funding: We check your eligibility for legal aid or provide clear private-fee structures so you know the cost and service from the outset.

Our Defence Services – Drug Supply & PWITS

Early Investigation & Police Station support

If you’re under investigation for drug supply, including alleged PWITS: we advise on your rights, accompany you to interview, challenge search and seizure legality, obtain bail support and preserve evidence.

Charged & Court Representation

From charge to plea or trial, we prepare your case: examine quantity, role, packaging, distribution network, intent to supply, liaise with expert witnesses (forensic, drugs analysts), and build a defence focused on reducing or avoiding a supply conviction.

Supply of Class A, B & C Drugs

We defend cases involving large-scale supply (Class A), intermediate supply (Class B) and other categories (Class C), including evidence of intent such as scales, multiple users, distribution patterns.

Customised Defence Strategy

Possible defences and mitigation include:

• Drugs were for personal use (challenge supply intent).

• Lack of control over the drugs or packaging (role argument).

• Entrapment or police misconduct.

• Early plea, guilty plea or assistance to authorities (mitigation).

Post-Conviction, Appeals & Ancillary Work

If you’ve been convicted: we advise on appeals, sentence review and confiscation orders (under Proceeds of Crime Act 2002). 

Key Considerations & What You Should Know

• Early legal action is critical: Investigation, disclosure, seizure and interviewing all move quickly in supply cases — early representation mitigates risk.

• High custodial risk: Supply/PWITS offences, especially involving Class A drugs or large quantities, often result in custodial sentences — mitigating factors are essential. 

• Intent matters: The charge of PWITS involves proving both possession and intent to supply — this is often based on circumstantial evidence (packaging, scales, communications, multiple users). 

• Drug class & quantity influence penalty: The class of drug and amount found significantly affect the severity of outcome. 

• Broader consequences: A supply conviction can affect your future employment, travel, professional licences, business reputation and immigration status.

Our Process & Transparent Fees

1. Initial urgent consultation – We assess your situation: alleged supply vs possession, role, evidence, scope of investigation, likely exposure and funding eligibility.

2. Strategy & evidence review – We obtain and assess disclosure, evidence of intent, forensic material, police/interview records; we identify weaknesses and build your defence plan.

3. Representation through hearings – We accompany you to police station, manage bail, prepare for court proceedings (magistrates or Crown Court), negotiate where appropriate or prepare for trial.

4. Outcome & next steps – Whether outcome is plea or trial, we advise on sentencing, consequences, appeals and future risk.

We provide a clear cost estimate at the outset, discuss legal aid eligibility, and explain payment/funding options.

FAQs – Possession with Intent to Supply (PWITS) UK