A flat has been boarded up and its tenant evicted after a court heard it had been used for drug-dealing and was at the centre of anti-social behaviour.
The property in Rope Walk is the fourth property to be closed by police this month in a crackdown on drug-dealing in Ipswich residential areas.
The town’s magistrates heard its female tenant overdosed last Friday. She was resuscitated by an ambulance crew, who it was said had to withdraw after two men became aggressive.
A fifth property in Prospect Street was also subject to a closure order early last month due to the issues of drugs and anti-social behaviour.
Yesterday an application for an official closure order at Rope Walk was made by police and Ipswich Borough Council to ensure no one could enter the premises in Rope Walk for three months. However, the tenant is allowed to go back twice with the police to collect her property
Making the application solicitor Carly McGuire, told the court there had been problems associated with the flat for about a year.
Magistrates heard police carried out a drug raid at the premises on January 31 and neighbours had complained about bad behaviour.
Mrs McGuire said: “Clearly there was criminal behaviour at the property and the fact that these local residents are ringing in is clearly causing them some distress and nuisance.”
Pc Danny Thompson, who works the council’s anti-social behaviour team, said he had spoken to residents and researched police records about the issues.
Pc Thompson said when the drugs’ warrant had been carried out several people were present and a large amount of cash was found, along with Class A drugs. It led to several arrests. The matter is still under investigation.
The tenant Natasha Wright, who said she has issues with her mental health, said: “I disagree with everything. I have only just started to get myself stabilised so if I get kicked out of this flat then I’m done.”
Referring to the drug raid she said: “There were not any drugs on me.
“My mate’s mate came in to wait for a taxi. Next thing I knew police were there and next thing I knew I’m getting busted.”
Magistrates agreed to issue the three-month closure order.
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