Anthony Smith

Anthony Smith is a Director of the firm and Head of the Serious Crime department, who specialises in representing suspects who are under investigation or charged with serious, organised and complex crime.

Anthony has extensive experience in dealing with those charged as part of large scale, multi-handed conspiracies including murder, drugs, firearms, violence, fraud and money laundering. He is also regularly instructed in relation to pre-charge investigations which involves the preparation and consideration of supporting material prior to the drafting of written submissions intended to persuade the Prosecuting Authority concerned that formal proceedings need not be instigated.

As well as specialising in serious and organised crime, Anthony’s experience includes defending those under investigation or charged with offences prosecuted by His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC), National Trading Standards, the Insolvency Service, and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).  He also frequently accepts instructions in relation to fraud and financial crime.

Whilst he has often been recognised by his clients for investing a great deal of time and commitment into each of his cases, Anthony has also been commended by his fellow professionals for his “deserved first-class reputation in serious and organised criminal defence work. His dedication and commitment to his clients is second to none and the service he provides them is absolutely faultless. From the barrister’s perspective, his case preparation is immaculate and he’s not just an astute tactician but an absolute delight to work alongside”. It is Anthony’s incisive and intelligent approach to each case that has contributed to his reputation as a formidable solicitor.

Notable Cases

R v M (Operation Glassy)

Currently instructed to represent an individual charged with 6 others as part of the NCA’s “Operation Venetic”, which is the UK arm of the global strategic investigation into the use of “Encro Chat” devices. The case relates to the alleged supply of over 1,100kg of Class A drugs and over 90 firearms throughout the UK.

R v S (Operation Quebec)

Currently instructed to represent an individual charged in relation to alleged involvement in a large scale conspiracy to supply cocaine and heroin throughout Lancashire. The case involves over 25 defendants.

R v L (Operation Wide)

Currently instructed to represent an individual charged in relation to alleged involvement in a large scale conspiracy to supply cocaine and conspiracy to produce cannabis in north and west Yorkshire. The case involves intrusive surveillance methods including covert listening devices being planted in vehicles.

R v P (Operation Billabong)

Currently instructed in relation to a large scale conspiracy to supply cocaine, ketamine and cannabis.

R v E (Operation Carter)

Currently instructed in relation to an individual charged with 24 others as part of the NCA’s “Operation Venetic”, which is the UK arm of the global strategic investigation into the use of “Encro Chat devices. The case relates to the multi-kilo sale and distribution of cocaine and heroin throughout the UK.

R v C (Operation Dryer)

Currently instructed in relation to an individual charged with 13 others as part of the NCA’s “Operation Venetic”, which is the UK arm of the global strategic investigation into the use of “Encro Chat” devices. The case features allegations of Conspiracy to Murder, Conspiracy to Supply Class A and Class B drugs, Conspiracy to Possess Firearms and Ammunition, and Conspiracy to Possess Criminal Property (cash).

R v W (Operation Brooks)

Currently instructed in relation to an individual who has been charged, along with several others, with conspiracy to possess firearms, conspiracy to pervert the course of justice and conspiracy to supply drugs.

R v B (Operation Ischia)

Represented an individual charged with violent disorder following a large scale disturbance in Liverpool City Centre, between a number of German nationals and door security staff.

R v K

Represented an individual charged with manslaughter. The case involved a variety of complex medical issues over the cause of death.

R v R (Operation Albany)

Represented an individual charged with alleged involvement in a multi-handed, international money laundering scheme. The operation had been the subject of a 4-year investigation and concerned the laundering of over £9 million through various companies, organisations and bank accounts. Acquitted after a half-time submission of no case to answer.

HMRC v C

Represented an individual who was being investigated for money laundering as part of a large-scale conspiracy to defraud valued at £154 million. No further action was taken against C after successful pro-active representation at an early stage.

R v R

Represented an individual charged with alleged involvement in an elaborate scheme to defraud insurance companies. No evidence offered after successful submissions prior to trial.

R v K (Operation Axelford)

Represented an individual charged with alleged involvement in a multi-handed conspiracy to rob, wounding with intent and firearms offences.

R v M (Operation Quartz)

Represented an individual charged as part of a multi-handed conspiracy to manufacture, supply and distribute controlled drugs throughout the North West of England.

R v M (Operation Brisbane)

Represented an individual charged as part of a multi-handed conspiracy to supply controlled drugs in the North East of England.

R v I (Operation Harpo)

Represented a 17-year old individual charged with the murder of another juvenile.  The case involved issues of fitness to plead and the ability to form the specific intention to be guilty of murder.

R v H (Operation Poppet)

Represented an individual charged under the Serious Crime Act 2015.  The case involved the sourcing and supply of a common drug mixing agent from China, to be used by other defendants charged with conspiracy to supply cocaine.  The sourcing and intended orders of the Benzocaine reached quantities of 500kg (half a metric ton) per month.

R v C (Operation Macaroni)

Represented an individual charged as part of a firearms conspiracy and a conspiracy to commit grievous bodily harm following a shooting.

R v P & D (Operation Riptide)

Represented two individuals charged as part of a multi-handed conspiracy to commit robbery.  The case involved the robbery of several G4S cash-in-transit vans across the Greater Manchester region with over £165,000 being stolen.

R v W & Others (Operation Speedway)

Represented several individuals charged as part of a multi-handed conspiracy to rob and conspiracy to convert criminal property. This involved the robbery of security drivers operating cash-in-transit vehicles throughout the Manchester and Lancashire regions over a 12-month period that resulted in over £250,000 being stolen. The proceeds were then laundered through various bookmakers via electronic gaming machines in the region.

R v T (Operation Isidor)

Represented an individual charged with money laundering as part of an organised crime group, with the individual having been party to the laundering of the proceeds of the group through a complicated web of property purchases utilising fraudulently obtained mortgages. The operation concerned hundreds of properties and the laundering of millions of pounds over a 10-year period.

R v R (Operation Yonside)

Represented an individual in a large-scale conspiracy to supply Class A and Class B drugs throughout North Wales, Manchester and Merseyside. The conspiracy was described by the Judge as one of the most significant and sophisticated drugs conspiracies to originate from North Wales in recent times. The individual was also represented for his separate involvement in a £250,000 conspiracy to defraud involving the failure to pay creditors for building materials and services used.

R v O (Operation Tisdale)

Represented an individual in a large scale, multi-handed nationwide conspiracy to produce and supply cannabis. The projected yield of the cannabis farms recovered was £5-£6 million.

R v Y (Operation Zulu)

Represented an individual as part of a 13-handed conspiracy to supply cocaine in the Staffordshire, Crewe and Merseyside regions.

R v T (Operation Anneal)

Represented the lead individual in a multi-handed conspiracy in relation to an undercover drugs operation in which 5.5kg of cocaine (with a street value £1.2 million) was supplied to undercover police officers.

R v W (Operation Belmont)

Represented an individual charged with assisting an offender as part of a larger multi-handed operation that involved offences of wounding with intent, conspiracy to blackmail, perverting the course of justice and drugs offences.

R v F (Operation Pitscale)

Represented an individual in a multi-handed nationwide conspiracy to supply cocaine, with the defendant seen to be one of the key figures of the North West operation.  The overall conspiracy was valued at over £5 million.

Other Notable Cases

R v A – Represented an individual charged with causing death by careless driving.

R v P – Represented an individual who, in his capacity as an accountant and company director, was alleged to have abused his position by defrauding several charitable organisations of over £350,000.

R v D – Represented an individual charged as part of a conspiracy to supply their own manufactured Class A drugs, produced in a home-made laboratory.

R v M – Represented an individual charged with being a co-conspirator in a sophisticated international money laundering operation between the UK and Dubai.

R v N – Represented an individual charged with conspiracy to pervert the course of justice relating to a complex scheme of producing fraudulent insurance certificates which allowed several people to evade prosecution for road traffic offences.

R v D – Represented an individual who, in his position as a parish priest, was charged with abusing his position by defrauding charity accounts of a significant amount of money.

R v L – Assisted in the representation of an individual charged under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations in relation to the operation and promotion of illegal pyramid schemes.