More charged after major drug blitz

FOUR more young men have been charged after a major drug operation in Ipswich.

A total of 34 people have now been arrested or charged following the blitz involving suspected runners sent by gangs from London to Ipswich to deal Class A drugs.

Twenty-four raids were carried out in Ipswich, London, Gravesend, and Great Yarmouth during the crackdown – codenamed Muzzle, which was led by Suffolk’s serious and organised crime squad.

Among the latest people to appear in court are Daryl Goodley, of Nelson Road South, Great Yarmouth. The 22-year-old is charged with supplying heroin and cocaine.

Kieron Harris, 21, of Benares Road, London, and Adedoyin Kildaejo, 18, of Parrock Street, Gravesend, also face the same charges.

A 17-year-old male from London, who cannot be identified due to his age, is accused of supplying heroin and cocaine, as well as possessing the Class A drugs with intent to supply.

Their arrests came after four follow-up warrants were executed by police.

Twenty raids were carried out during the first phase of the operation in the week commencing September 17.

Detectives said they were focusing on alleged drug runners from London working from bases in Ipswich, along with local people who were said to be assisting them.

Officers raided several flats and other premises in neighbourhoods across Ipswich, including Maidenhall Approach, Kenyon Street, Morgan Drive, London Road, Burrell Road, Rope Walk and Samuel Court.

Around 30 officers were involved in the operation, which was the culmination of several months of planning.

Twenty people have now been charged, nine more are on police bail pending further enquiries, while one person received a caution for a cannabis-related offence. Four others will have no further action taken against them.

After the initial arrests detective chief inspector Steve Mattin, who led the operation, said: “What we are trying to do is to make Ipswich a hostile environment for those individuals involved in drugs to operate in.

“This is an intensive operation conducted by officers from across the force, led by the Serious and Organised Crime Directorate.

“Our aim is to restrict the supply of drugs and disrupt organised networks operating around Class A drugs.

“This has been a protracted investigation which is centred in Suffolk, but with links to London.”