Drug Trafficking Offences Act 1986 (c. 32)

Offence of assisting drug traffickers E+W

24 Assisting another to retain the benefit of drug trafficking. E+W

(1) Subject to subsection (3) below, if a person enters into or is otherwise concerned in an arrangement whereby—

(a) the retention or control by or on behalf of another (call him “A”) of A’s proceeds of drug trafficking is facilitated (whether by concealment, removal from the jurisdiction, transfer to nominees or otherwise), or

(b) A’s proceeds of drug trafficking—

(i) are used to secure that funds are placed at A’s disposal, or

(ii) are used for A’s benefit to acquire property by way of investment,

knowing or suspecting that A is a person who carries on or has carried on drug trafficking or has benefited from drug trafficking, he is guilty of an offence.

(2) In this section, references to any person’s proceeds of drug trafficking include a reference to any property which in whole or in part directly or indirectly represented in his hands his proceeds of drug trafficking.

(3) Where a person discloses to a constable a suspicion or belief that any funds or investments are derived from or used in connection with drug trafficking or any matter on which such a suspicion or belief is based—

(a) the disclosure shall not be treated as a breach of any restriction upon the disclosure of information imposed by [F1 statute or otherwise], and

(b) if he does any act in contravention of subsection (1) above and the disclosure relates to the arrangement concerned, he does not commit an offence under this section if the disclosure is made in accordance with this paragraph, that is—

(i) it is made before he does the act concerned, being an act done with the consent of the constable, or

(ii) it is made after he does the act, but is made on his initiative and as soon as it is reasonable for him to make it.

(4) In proceedings against a person for an offence under this section, it is a defence to prove—

(a) that he did not know or suspect that the arrangement related to any person’s proceeds of drug trafficking, or

(b) that he did not know or suspect that by the arrangement the retention or control by or on behalf of A of any property was facilitated or, as the case may be, that by the arrangement any property was used as mentioned in subsection (1) above, or

(c) that—

(i) he intended to disclose to a constable such a suspicion, belief or matter as is mentioned in subsection (3) above in relation to the arrangement, but

(ii) there is reasonable excuse for his failure to make disclosure in accordance with subsection (3)(b) above.

[F2 (4A) In the case of a person who was in employment at the relevant time, subsections (3) and (4) above shall have effect in relation to disclosures, and intended disclosures, to the appropriate person in accordance with the procedure established by his employer for the making of such disclosures as they have effect in relation to disclosures, and intended disclosures, to a constable.]

(5) A person guilty of an offence under this section shall be liable—

(a) on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding fourteen years or to a fine or to both, and

(b) on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum or to both.

(5A) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F3

(6) In Part II of Schedule 1 to the M1 Criminal Justice Act 1982 (persons convicted of offences under certain enactments not eligible for early release), after paragraph 25 there is inserted—

“ DRUG TRAFFICKING OFFENCES ACT 1986 (c. 32) E+W

26 Section 24 (assisting another to retain the benefit of drug trafficking).”

Textual Amendments

F1 Word in s. 24(3)(a) substituted (1.4.1994) by 1993 c. 36, s. 18(2), (with s. 78(6)(9)); S.I. 1994/700, art. 2, Sch.

F2 S. 24(4A) inserted (1.4.1994) by 1993 c. 36, s. 18(3), (with s. 78(6)(9)); S.I. 1994/700, art. 2, Sch.

F3 S. 24(5A) inserted by Criminal Justice Act 1988 (c. 33, SIF 39:1), s. 103, Sch. 5 para. 13 and repealed by Police Officers (Central Service) Act 1989 (c.11, SIF 95), s. 3, Sch.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 S.24 applied (1.8.1994) by S.I. 1994/1757, reg. 3

Marginal Citations

M1 1982 c. 48.

[F4 24A Recognition and enforcement of orders and functions under Part I of the Criminal Justice (Scotland)Act E+W

(1) Her Majesty may by Order in Council make such provision as Her Majesty considers expedient for the purpose—

(a) of enabling property in England and Wales which is realisable property for the purposes of Part I of the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 1987 to be used or realised for the payment of any amount payable under a confiscation order made under that Part of that Act; and

(b) of securing that, where no confiscation order has been made under that Part of that Act, property in England and Wales which is realisable property for the purposes of that Part of that Act is available, in the event that such an order is so made, to be used or realised for the payment of any amount payable under it.

(2) Without prejudice to the generality of the power conferred by subsection (1) above, an Order in Council under this section may—

(a) provide that, subject to any specified conditions—

(i) the functions of a person appointed under section 13 of the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 1987; and

(ii) such descriptions of orders made under or for the purposes of Part I of the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 1987 as may be specified;

shall have effect in the law of England and Wales;

(b) make provision—

(i) for the registration in the High Court of such descriptions of orders made under or for the purposes of that Part of that Act as may be specified; and

(ii) for the High Court to have in relation to the enforcement of orders made under or for the purposes of that Part of that Act which are so registered such powers as may be specified; and

(c) make provision as to the proof in England and Wales of orders made under or for the purposes of that Part of that Act.

(3) In subsection (2) above “specified” means specified in an Order in Council under this section.

(4) An Order in Council under this section may amend or apply, with or without modifications, any enactment.

(5) An Order in Council under this section may contain such incidental, consequential and transitional provisions as Her Majesty considers expedient.

[F5 (6) An Order in Council under this section shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.]]

Textual Amendments

F4 S. 24A inserted (E.W.) by Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 1987 (c. 41, SIF 39:1), ss. 31, 47(4)(a)

F5 S. 24A(6) substituted (1.12.1993) by 1993 c. 36, s. 21(2) (with s. 78(6)(9)); S.I. 1993/2734, art. 2,Sch.