The requested information is shown in the following table:
Fine Drug type and year Minimum (£) Maximum (£) Average (£) Cannabis 1997 <5 2,400 82.06 1998 <5 3,060 78.27 1999 <5 1,300 75.41 2000 <5 3,350 74.87 2001 <5 2,000 72.12 2002 <5 2,000 66.27 2003 <5 5,000 70.58 2004 5 5,000 71.14 2005 <5 5,000 73.65 2006 <5 1,000 78.90 2007 <5 1,400 80.93 Cocaine 1997 25 5,000 624.50 1998 100 700 227.78 1999 50 500 271.88 2000 75 200 124.00 2001 50 250 136.11 2002 40 2,500 366.92 2003 30 750 215.53 2004 100 1,000 371.43 2005 50 4,000 670.71 2006 30 750 293.33 2007 30 1,000 326.05 Crack cocaine 1997 180 180 180.00 1998 75 100 83.33 1999 125 200 162.50 2000 50 50 50.00 2001 100 300 190.00 2002 100 150 125.00 2003 75 75 75.00 2004 50 250 183.33 2005 50 1,500 321.43 2006 20 120 80.00 2007 25 60 38.33 Ecstasy (MDMA) 1997 40 750 209.33 1998 100 750 269.09 1999 75 2,000 359.06 2000 50 1,000 246.50 2001 100 1,500 403.00 2002 50 1,000 291.14 2003 40 1,000 356.46 2004 75 650 272.50 2005 100 1,000 500.00 2006 100 500 210.00 2007 250 2,500 678.57 Heroin 1997 70 2,000 406.25 1998 50 300 155.77 1999 50 500 194.44 2000 75 300 161.25 2001 25 600 163.75 2002 60 250 142.78 2003 60 2,500 455.00 2004 25 100 58.33 2005 80 300 155.00 2006 25 240 103.75 2007 25 100 65.83 Source: OMS Analytical Services, Ministry of Justice.
These figures have been drawn from administrative data systems. Although care is taken when processing and analysing the returns, the detail collected is subject to the inaccuracies inherent in any large scale recording system.
When a case is referred to Court, the amount of the fine is based not only on the nature of the offence and mitigation presented, but also on the Defendant’s ability to pay. The Court will establish the latter by way of the Statement of Means which is a questionnaire designed to clarify the Defendant’s income and outgoings.