A former Aldham man has been jailed after admitting being concerned in supplying cocaine.

Sam Stopher of The Street in Ipswich, but was living in Aldham, near Hadleigh when police swooped, was one of two men caught by police

The 28 year old and Perry Walker, aged 27 of Sandpit Close in Rushmere St. Andrew were both convicted on Friday January 7 at Ipswich Crown Court of being concerned in the supplying of cocaine.

Walker was also convicted of possession of CS spray. Stopher was jailed for two years and eight months while Walker was jailed for four years and two months. It follows their guilty pleas at an earlier court hearing.

On Thursday 20 May 2021 officers from the Serious Crime Disruption Team executed a warrant at a property on Humber Doucy Lane with Walker found to be the only person at the address and arrested. Two phones and a CS cannister were recovered.

A further two warrants were executed at Sandpit Close in Ipswich and a property at Aldham where electronic devices namely USBs and mobile phones, along with some clear zip seal bags were recovered.

On Tuesday 25 May 2021 Stopher, who at the time lived at the property searched by police in Aldham, handed himself in at the Police Investigation Centre in Martlesham and he was arrested.

Subsequent enquiries established that their criminal operations took place between 5 October 2020 and 20 May 2021 with analysis of their mobile phones showing they were running an active drug network in Ipswich with bulk text messages being issued to their phone contacts to generate drug deals

DC Dave Murphy from the Serious Crime Disruption Team said: "This was a sophisticated drugs business involving a pair who were determined to sell on the streets of Ipswich bringing misery to residents and vulnerable people. The network of phones used in their dealing was a complex spider's web of various strands and connectivity. To unpick it took a great deal of patience and time, but ultimately generated the key evidence to secure these convictions."

"We will continue to take robust action against those who deal drugs around the county and continue to listen to concerns of residents. Our commitment to tackle Class A drug dealing in the county remains strong and we are determined the county remains a hostile environment for those involved in the supply of drugs."

The Serious Crime Disruption Team core aim is disrupt serious and organised gangs whose criminal activity focuses on issues such as drug supply and harmful personal acquisitive crime such as robbery/burglary. Its purpose is to tackle the high threat and harm issues including the supply of controlled drugs.

If you suspect drug dealing is taking place or you are concerned that a young person or vulnerable adult may have been targeted by an organised crime group, please tell us.

Call us on 101 or if you prefer you can contact Crimestoppers to report anonymously – online or by calling 0800 555 111.