importation

The importation of 30 kilos of cocaine which involved the use of telephone intercepts provided by the Dutch authorities.

A complicated plan to open up a drugs route in to the country via Tilbury Docks that involved corrupt dockworkers’ forging paper work and allowing the gang access to restricted customs areas.

Importation of 1 ton of cannabis resin inside specially constructed carpet hides – the defendants claimed to have been duped believing that the load was to be tobacco. First tried in 2002 when all of the defendants were convicted. A re-trial was ordered by the Court of Appeal. After a number of delays due to public interest immunity (PII) applications being made by the Crown, the second trial (Stephen Vullo first instructed) was heard in January 2006 which was aborted due to allegations of jury tampering. At the third trial in September 2006 the prosecution had to make admissions before the jury that the man named in defence statements served in the first trial had been convicted of drug smuggling on two separate occasions and had in the past duped others into doing so. Furthermore, he had ordered the murder of a co-defendant before their joint trial, who in his defence statement had claimed also to have been duped. All the defendants were acquitted.

Stephen’s reputation as one of the UK’s top barristers defending serious crime derives from his extensive experience and proven track record defending clients accused of the most serious criminal allegations, including terrorism, homicide (murder and manslaughter), historic child abuse cases, large scale drugs supply/importation, armed robbery, money laundering, and all forms of organised crime and sexual offences.

Stephen Vullo is a criminal barrister who is regularly identified as the counsel of first choice when defending serious crime allegations. His clients include The Glasgow Bomber and His Royal Highness Prince Saud Abdulaziz Bin Nasser Al Saud of Saudi Arabia.

A proactive approach to defending client

Stephen’s emphasis is on early (often pre-charge) and proactive case preparation, directing the case to ensure his clients are in the best possible position before a decision to prosecute is taken and any trial begins.

Once there has been a decision to prosecute, Stephen will focus on the unfolding picture of disclosure by the prosecuting authority.  It is through his careful and critical analysis of all the information revealed that he is able to identify exculpatory evidence that has been overlooked or lost, and damaging evidence that has been improperly obtained and susceptible to an application to exclude.