At Sahota & Sahota Solicitors, we frequently encounter clients frustrated by the length of time it takes for police investigations to conclude. Whether you are under investigation or awaiting a charging decision, the uncertainty can be incredibly stressful. While delays can occur in all types of criminal cases, for the purposes of this article, we will focus on drug-related offences—an area where investigations often take an especially long time.
Complexity of Drug Investigations
Drug offences are rarely straightforward. In many cases, the police are not just investigating possession or supply but also wider criminal networks, financial transactions and communications data. This means a single case can involve multiple suspects, different locations and various types of evidence that all need analysis.
Here are some key reasons why drug investigations take so long
Drugs Expert Reports and Analysis
A drugs expert plays a crucial role in these cases. Once substances are seized, forensic scientists must test, classify and quantify them to determine their nature and purity. But beyond this, an expert will also assess:
- The quantity and value of the drugs in question (often the drugs expert will give a street value and a wholesale value);
- Whether the quantity is consistent with personal use or supply;
- The significance of paraphernalia, such as weighing scales, snap bags, tick lists and cutting agents.
This process takes time, especially as forensic services are often overloaded with cases.
Mobile Phone Downloads and Digital Evidence
In many drug investigations, the police seize mobile phones and other digital devices. These devices can contain thousands of pages of messages, call logs and images that may be relevant to the case. The police will often:
- Extract and review messages from encrypted apps (such as WhatsApp, Signal, Snapchat, Telegram, Threema, Wire, Session, Briar etc);
- Examine network call data records to establish contact between suspects.
- Look for images of drugs, money or supply lists.
Given the volume of data, it can take months for specialist officers to extract and review this material, and even longer if they need expert interpretation.
Cell Site Analysis and Location Data
If the police believe a suspect was involved in a drug conspiracy, they may rely on cell site analysis to track movements and locations. This involves:
- Examining which mobile phone masts a device connected to at different times.
- Determining whether a suspect was at a specific location when a drug deal was allegedly arranged or took place.
- Comparing data with co-defendants to establish possible links.
Because cell site analysis requires a specialist expert, delays are common as forensic examiners are often working on multiple cases at once.
Financial Investigations and Proceeds of Crime
In some cases, particularly where there are allegations of drug supply or conspiracy, the police may also investigate bank transactions, cash seizures and cryptocurrency transfers. This can involve liaising with financial institutions, requesting banking records and conducting forensic accounting analysis – all of which add time to an already lengthy process.
Delays in Charging Decisions
Once the police have gathered their evidence, the case is sent to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to decide whether to charge a suspect. This decision is based on:
- The strength of the evidence (i.e., whether there is a realistic prospect of conviction).
- The public interest test (i.e., whether it is in the public interest to prosecute).
If the case is complex, the CPS may take months—or even years—to make a decision, especially if further investigation is required.
How Can Sahota & Sahota Expert Drug Solicitors Help?
At Sahota & Sahota Solicitors, we understand that being under investigation is stressful, especially when there is no clear timeframe for when it will conclude. If you are facing a drug-related allegation, we can:
✅ Challenge delays and push for a resolution.
✅ Request updates from the police and CPS.
✅ Ensure that expert reports are properly scrutinised.
✅ Defend your rights at every stage of the process.
If you need expert legal advice, contact us today. Our team of experienced specialist criminal defence solicitors is ready to help.
