Why it matters: County lines operations bring violence and exploitation to our local communities, with dealers from big cities targeting smaller towns like Ipswich to expand their drug networks.
The details: Abdishakur Salah, 30, of Balmore Street, London, was sentenced at Ipswich Crown Court yesterday after being convicted of supplying cocaine and heroin in the town between August and October 2024.
Salah was arrested on 10 October last year at a property in Alderman Road, Ipswich. While officers attempted to enter the property, a large amount of cocaine and heroin was thrown from the window.
The property was searched and items connected to drug dealing were located, including a phone that had been used to send bulk messages for the sale of drugs.
Salah was convicted on 27 June at Ipswich Crown Court after pleading not guilty to being concerned in the supply of cocaine and heroin.
What they're saying: Detective Constable Daniel Steel of the Serious Crime Disruption Team said: "Salah ran the 'Deano' drugs line which was operational in Ipswich between August and October 2024.
"He was responsible for supplying crack cocaine and heroin to drug users, which has a devastating effect on local communities. He has now been sentenced to a considerable term of imprisonment for this behaviour.
"Suffolk Constabulary continues to work hard with the Metropolitan Police and other force areas to target county lines drug dealers who seek to benefit from the sale of illegal drugs. Hopefully the sentence passed today will deter those that would seek to follow his path."
What to do: If you suspect drug activity, report this via the Suffolk Police website at https://www.suffolk.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/, call 101, or contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling 0800 555 111.
