R v Pritchard

Court of Appeal (Criminal Division) [2017] EWCA Crim 1267, Lord Justice Davis, Mr Justice Phillips and His Honour Judge Brown, Recorder of Preston (Sitting as a Judge of the Court of Appeal, Criminal Division), 27 July 2017

Importation of cannabis - Confiscation orders - Compliance orders - Travel restrictions - Proportionality

John Pritchard, the appellant, conspired with others to import cannabis from Greece. In April 2012, two consignments were intercepted at a warehouse at East Midlands Airport. Each consignment was destined for the business address of the appellant’s co-conspirators. The evidence established that there had been earlier importations of cannabis and that between 1 March and 19 April 2012, the appellant and his co-defendants had brought about 108 kg of cannabis into the UK, with a street value of over £300,000. The appellant had used his UK business as a cover for importing cannabis on a commercial scale. During his interview with the police the appellant denied any involvement in the importations although he accepted he had previously worked out of Greece. In August 2015, the appellant was convicted after a trial. He was sentenced to a term of five-and-half-years' imprisonment.