Addresses in St Helen’s Street and St Matthew’s Street closed down in Ipswich drug raids
Cocaine was among the drugs seized. File picture: GETTY IMAGES/ISTOCK PHOTO - Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto
Police in central Ipswich have shut down two houses after evidence of drug dealing and anti-social behaviour was found in a series of raids.
Early in the afternoon on Sunday, October 8, officers patrolling St Helen’s Street saw suspicious activity by a gang, in which two men fled after they realised officers were approaching.
Police conducted a search of a property where drugs were seized, and five people arrested on suspicion of drugs offences.
Two were released under investigation, while three were charged.
On Tuesday, October 17, officers raided a home in St Matthew’s Street at around 3.40pm, seizing class A drugs and arresting two people.
A 26-year-old man from Ipswich was released under investigation while a 16-year-old boy from London was charged with possession of crack cocaine with intent to supply.
Closure orders were granted from magistrates for both.
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Sergeant Vicky McParland from Suffolk police said: “Those involved in drug activity will often prey on the most vulnerable members of our society and one of the ways in which they do this is by moving into and taking over a person’s address. This is known as cuckooing.
“We work closely with partner agencies, including the borough council, health agencies as well as social services, to reduce this anti-social behaviour which has a debilitating effect on the local community and will continue to pro-actively target those involved in illegal drug activity.
“This includes working with housing providers to support them in eviction proceedings, obtaining court issued closure orders to tackle issues at residential properties and stepping up patrols where necessary concerning drug issues in a public place.”
Officers in Ipswich have also been made aware of alleged drug dealing and anti-social behaviour in the Devonshire Road and Stone Lodge Lane West areas.
A force spokeswoman said that work was ongoing to investigate the Devonshire Road reports, while officers had been working with Ipswich Borough Council to evict a resident suspected of carrying out drugs activity in Stone Lodge Lane West.
Call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 if you suspect drug dealing to be taking place.
