Residents have been praised for fighting back against London drug gangs after two Ipswich dealers were jailed and another drugs den was shut down.
The prison terms of Claire Brown and Tristian Folkes came as a result of a crackhouse closure in Gladstone Road.
In the same week the pair were sentenced to a total of eight years’ imprisonment police in Ipswich obtained a closure order for a flat in Newnham Court which London drug dealers were using a base.
Police say both orders came after other residents were prepared to make a stand by being prepared to give evidence in court.
Brown’s home in Gladstone Road, Ipswich, was subject to a crackhouse closure last December after complaints from neighbours.
The 34-year-old is now beginning a 45-month jail term given to her by Ipswich Crown Court after she previously pleaded guilty to possessing heroin and cocaine with intent to supply.
Tristian Folkes, 25, of Park Avenue, London, was sentenced to 54 months’ imprisonment after admitting the same offences.
The pair were arrested following the execution of a search warrant at the house on December 9 when a large quantity of Class A drugs were found.
Police subsequently made a successful application before South East Suffolk Magistrates Court for the house closed and boarded up.
After the house was boarded up, Sergeant Mark Thomas, of the South East Ipswich Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: “I would like to personally thank all of those residents who have put their faith and trust in us.”
Following jail terms given to Brown and Folkes a senior detective said the case emphasised police would respond robustly to calls about drug dealing in and around neighbourhoods in Suffolk.
Detective Inspector Barry Byford, who is based at Landmark House in Ipswich, said: “We conducted a warrant back in Gladstone Road in December 2013, based on community intelligence.
“Two weeks after Folkes and Brown were charged, a closure order was granted prohibiting anyone from entering it for three months.
“Any community concerns are dealt with seriously and the sentence given shows that drug dealing in Ipswich will not be tolerated and offenders will be dealt with sternly.”
Meanwhile, Pc Danny Thompson who applied for the closure order of the flat at Newnham Court said his submission came after numerous reports from members of the public about London drug dealers using a vulnerable addict’s home as their base.
He praised solicitors from Suffolk County Council for helping to get the case to court and the assistance he received from Orwell Housing which owns the property.
Pc Thompson also lauded those in the neighbouring properties.
He said: “The residents of Newnham Court took the initiative and were prepared to put their names to statements and stand up to the drug dealers.”
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