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SENTENCING-CONSPIRACY TO TRAFFIC IN A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE

Gjoni, R. v [2023] EWCA Crim 1634, December 21, 2023, at paragraph 18:

It is recognised that there is a need to uplift sentences to reflect the amount of cocaine: see generally R v Cuni [2018] EWCA Crim 600; [2018] 2 Cr App R (S) 18. Sentencing in these cases depends on quantity, role, seniority in the chain, geographical scope, length of time and the number of different conspiracies engaged: see R v Greenfield [2020] EWCA Crim 459; [2020] 2 Cr App R (S) 19. When sentencing for a conspiracy it is important to reflect not only the amount supplied, and therefore harm done, but also the intended amount. It is difficult to derive much assistance from other sentences in individual cases, which turn very much on the amount and role, for example R v Costi [2023] EWCA Crim 235; and R v Clarke [2023] EWCA Crim 933, because each case will have different factors of lesser role and particular mitigating factors.