SUFFOLK police's war on drugs has claimed another victim after a London dealer was snared in an undercover operation. Anwar Osman is today beginning a lengthy jail term after his lucrative Ipswich crack and heroin business was smashed by detectives.

SUFFOLK police's war on drugs has claimed another victim after a London dealer was snared in an undercover operation.

Anwar Osman is today beginning a lengthy year jail term after his lucrative Ipswich crack and heroin business was smashed by detectives.

The 21-year-old came to the attention of police in early 2008 when he began peddling his deadly wares from a housing association property in Chevalier Street.

Officers conducting round-the-clock observations watched as foot soldiers arrived at the house before collecting wraps of Class A substances ready to be sold on the streets.

A warrant was executed soon after and drugs with a street value of up to �3,500 were seized along with scales and knives.

After Osman's arrest and charge in April 2008, it emerged he was wanted for similar offences in London.

But before he could face justice, he skipped bail and was not recaptured until more than a year later, in June, when Metropolitan police officers apprehended him.

Osman, who used various aliases including the first name Mohammed, admitted five counts of possessing heroin and crack cocaine and a further count of possessing Class A drugs with intent to supply.

He was sentenced to a 56-month prison term by a judge at Snaresbrook Crown Court.

Osman, of Park Lane, London, had previously been arrested on suspicion of drugs offences as part of the closure of a crack house in Wherstead Road, Ipswich, but was never charged.

Police investigator Rob Osler, who was involved in the case, said: “Traditionally, people travel to Ipswich and deal on the streets for a short period before returning to London.

“But Osman had established himself and was running his operation from a house which suggests somebody higher in the chain and in greater control.”

Are you concerned about the influx of drugs into Ipswich? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk