Drug dealers could get shorter jail sentences

Under the proposals — which also recommend cutting the penalties for drug "mules" — the starting sentence for masterminds of drugs operations would be cut from 14 to 12 years.

Judges will be told to impose more confiscation orders, which are used to take away the proceeds of crime and other assets owned by offenders.

The plan, which was prompted by a belief that seizure of assets is a bigger deterrent to dealers than prison time, is likely to bring criticism from those who are eager not to go "soft" on drug dealers.

Professor Andrew Ashworth, the chairman of the Government's sentencing advisory panel, which produced today's proposals, insisted that a change of approach was justified. He said sentences for the worst dealers were out of line with lower terms imposed on other serious offenders such as rapists.

"We are not suggesting in any way that drug offences have become less serious or that a robust sentencing approach is not appropriate," he said.

The document also ranks the importation, exportation, production and supply of drugs as equally serious. It says those guilty of each offence should receive the same treatment, although it draws a distinction between those supplying small amounts of drugs and those who provide larger quantities. There will be heavier penalties imposed on the latter.

On the treatment of drugs couriers, today's proposals say many are "naive, vulnerable men and women from third world countries" and should therefore receive lower terms.