A professional organised crime group who dealt drugs in Ipswich were sentenced today.
The group of nine were sentenced today, July 31, following a lengthy covert police investigation into the supply of Class A drugs into Ipswich from London.
The nine, from addresses in London and Ipswich were charged last year with conspiracy to supply crack cocaine and heroin between January and April 2014.
Six of the defendants had previously pleaded guilty to the offences and received the following sentences today:
Asha Taranbi, aged 20 and previously from London was sentenced to four years and eight months in a Young Offender Institution.
Fatima Mohammed Muse, aged 21 of no fixed abode was sentenced to five years in a Young Offender Institution.
Leah King, aged 39 and from Burrell Road, Ipswich, was sentenced to 32 months (two years and eight months) imprisonment.
David Tinker, aged 18 and from Granby Road, London, was given a community order and ordered to complete 250 hours of unpaid work, and was also given a 26-week curfew order.
Gary Burford, aged 44 and from Gippeswyk Road, Ipswich, and Jason Capon, aged 42 and from Fore Street, Ipswich were both given a two-year suspended sentence (suspended for two years) and a 26-week curfew order.
Jamie Cousins, aged 18 and from Tuam Road, London was sentenced to a 12-month supervision order, ordered to do 200 hours of unpaid work and given a 26-week curfew order.
Two defendants were found guilty by trial and received the following sentences:
Ahmed Ali, aged 28 and from Gorman Road, London was sentenced to seven years imprisonment.
Mohamed Kalib, aged 34 and from Kenley Avenue, London was sentenced to five years imprisonment.
Officers working to disrupt the organised supply of drugs in Ipswich found that the nine were involved in bringing large quantities of crack cocaine and heroin into the town, and using the addresses of those based in Ipswich from which to run their business.
Extensive intelligence analysis and investigation led to various arrests in both London & Ipswich, with drugs, cash and mobile phones being seized.
Taranbi, Muse, Ahmed, Kalib, Cousins and Tinker were found to be travelling regularly between Ipswich and London, with Taranbi and Muse being heavily involved in the organisation of the supply.
Capon, Burford and King are local residents in Ipswich who were targeted by the group and allowed the group to use their addresses to facilitate the supply of drugs within the town.
Detective Inspector Gary Bloomfield from Suffolk Police Serious and Organised Crime Unit who lead the investigation said: “Today’s sentencing is the culmination of a lengthy and complex investigation involving officers from Suffolk, Norfolk and Metropolitan police working in partnership to stop criminals bringing Class A drugs into our towns.
“This meticulous investigation was based on detailed intelligence analysis which led us to the key members of the crime group both in London and Ipswich who were responsible for managing the transport of cocaine and heroin into Ipswich.
“We were then able to identify the bases they had established within the town, which were enabling them to sell to dealers and users.
“The harmful effects of this criminal activity are severe. These are dangerous substances, which can damage the health of those who use them and also the communities in which they are supplied.
“I hope the decision at court today serves as a warning to those bringing drugs into our towns – it will not be tolerated and we will do all we can to bring you before the courts.”
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