Ian Whitehurst secures only acquittal in large scale drugs conspiracy trial

August 9, 2022

After a 14-day trial at Preston Crown Court, Ian Whitehurst from Exchange Chambers has secured the acquittal of a man charged with the supply of class A and B drugs and the production of class B drugs.

The man, who police alleged was the head of an organised crime group, was charged after an investigation based on EncroChat and covert surveillance evidence. All of the other defendants in this large scale drugs investigation either pleaded guilty or were convicted. Linked trials are still ongoing later in the year.

Ian Whitehurst was instructed by Simon Farnsworth at FMB Solicitors.

Ian Whitehurst has a heavyweight criminal practice.  He defends and prosecutes in equal measure with a particular emphasis on homicide, firearms and drugs conspiracy as well as cyber related criminality.  His other areas of expertise include financial crime and misconduct matters and regulatory work.