Archangelo Power secures Modern Slavery Acquittal 

Following a retrial, on a 4-count indictment at Wood Green Crown Court, Archangelo Power, leading Manveer Cheema, successfully secured the acquittal of EC on all 4 counts of conspiring to supply Class A drugs.

Counsel successfully employed the Modern Slavery defence, as set out in s.45 of the Modern Slavery Act. The prosecution case was that EC was a willing and trusted member of an organised crime group involved in the supply of multi-kilo quantities of Class A drugs.  The evidence in the case comprised of numerous text messages (including the threatening and controlling of others), videos extracted from EC’s phone in which it was alleged drugs were being mixed up by EC ready for onward distribution, tick lists, drugs found on EC’s premises and telephone association all of which inculpated EC.  The defence called expert medical/psychiatric evidence, contested by the prosecution’s expert, to support EC’s case that he was compelled to act in the way alleged.

After the jury was unable to reach a verdict in relation to EC after two trials, the prosecution offered no evidence against EC and not guilty verdicts were entered.

Archangelo was instructed by Richard Parry of Saunders Solicitors.