Heath has a specialist practice defending complex criminal cases involving organised crime, complex financial crime, money laundering and regulatory offending. He is ranked in both Chambers UK Guide and The Legal 500.
“Heath is excellent. He has a very calming influence with clients and is a very persuasive advocate in front of juries. He is always on top of the details of any case.”
(Chambers UK Guide)
“Heath Edwards is a key name for handling complex multi-handed drug trafficking and money laundering work”.
(The Legal 500)
Heath is regularly instructed to defend clients accused of conspiring to commit serious criminal offences including drugs trafficking, fraud, money laundering and violence.
His expertise includes advising on and conducting applications for the restraint, freezing and forfeiture of assets said to be the proceeds of crime. He is recognised amongst clients and colleagues for paying forensic attention to detail and for ferociously pursuing his clients’ case.
Heath is also a Category 4 prosecutor and member of the RASSO (Serious Sexual Offences) panel. He is regularly instructed by the police to advise pre-charge on investigative matters involving complex warrant applications (Operation Mustang), Legal Professional Privilege and high value asset forfeiture (Operation Chard).
Heath’s recent work defending complex criminal cases includes:
- Operation Oberon [2023]: Led junior defending in multi-kilo “encrochat” drug dealing trial.
- Operation Vermont [2022]: Led Junior defending high profile defendant charged with involvement in multi-kilo cocaine supply conspiracy.
- Operation Bluebell: [2023]: Leading Junior defending in multi-handed cocaine conspiracy with numerous Albanian defendants.
- Operation Akita [2021]: Representing two owners of a high profile and successful dog breeding business for regulatory offences and linked asset seizure application.
- Operation Usk [2023]: Representing a defendant charged as part of a multi-handed fraudulent trading (cigarettes) allegation.
- Operation Fenchurch [2023]: Representing a defendant charged with fraudulent trading and money laundering linked to dog breeding.
- Operation Orca [2023]: Leading Junior representing Albanian national linked to organised crime and cannabis production.
- Operation Earth [2023]: Representing first defendant of 11 prosecuted by the RSPCA for illegal puppy farming and fraud.
- Operation Heatwave [2023]: Representing financial advisor charged with fraud and money laundering offences.
- Operation Tredegar [2023]: Representing first defendant charged with multi-kilo cocaine and heroin supply.
- Operation Red Wezen [2023]: Representing business man charged with attempt to defraud financial institution.
- R v Ali (Led Junior defending in the Court of Appeal in the Cold Case review of the “body in the carpet” murder).
Heath’s recent work as a Category 4 prosecutor and member of the RASSO (Serious Sexual Offences) panel includes:
- Operation Washington (2021): Leading junior prosecuting 12 defendants charged with drug dealing.
- Operation Alkane (2022): Prosecuting 6 defendants for drug trafficking and associated money laundering.
- Operation Crimson Mustang(2022): Advising the police pre-charge on the drafting of an exceptionally complex and high-profile warrant and successfully presenting the subsequent application in Southwark Crown Court.
- Operation Chard (2023): Advising the police and presenting the subsequent application to freeze and later forfeit a high value account linked to a foreign national engaged in money laundering.
- Football Association of Wales v Pritchard (2023): Representing the FAW to present allegations of misconduct against an executive member of the organisation before the Sports Disciplinary Tribunal.
- Warwick University
- Inns Court School of Law
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