Five men have been sentenced to a total of more 28 years in jail after pleading guilty to drug offences in Felixstowe and other Suffolk towns.

Ipswich Crown Court heard the dealers were all members of the "Neno" gang from the Nacton area of Ipswich, that operated the 'Jamie' line in Felixstowe, and sold drugs in Ipswich, Bury St Edmunds, and Stowmarket.

34 year old Ishmael O'Connor of Alston Road in Ipswich, 27 year old Shadrach O'Connor of no fixed abode, 28 year old Tyrone Clarke of Shackleton Square in Ipswich, Lamar Dagnon, aged 24 of no fixed abode and 21 year old Daniel McCallion of Gilbert Road in Eastbourne were at Ipswich Crown Court today (Friday 1 April) where they were given the following sentences.

Ishmael O'Connor was given 5 years 3 months

Shadrach O'Connor was given 5 years 3 months

Tyrone Clarke was given 7 years 6 months

Lamar Dagnon was given 7 years 6 months

Daniel McCallion was given 3 years 4 months

It follows police activity on Wednesday 18 March 2020 when officers conducted two warrants at properties on Alston Road and Shackleton Square in Ipswich, during which around £400 cash was recovered and several mobile phones were seized.

Around £2,000 in cash, suspected wraps of heroin and cocaine, and further mobile phones were also located at a third property linked to the suspects.

Three arrests were made with the suspects taken to Martlesham Police Investigation Centre for questioning and subsequently charged. McCallion was also arrested on 18 March in Eastbourne in Sussex on suspicion of conspiracy to supply class A drugs.

At earlier hearings Clarke, Dagnon, and McCallion pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supplying Class A drugs from December 2018 to March 2019 at an earlier hearing, while Ishmael O'Connor of Alston Road in Ipswich and 27 year old Shadrach O'Connor both pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of cocaine from December 2018 to March 2020 and being concerned in the supply of heroin from December 2018 to March 2020

Ishmael O'Connor was released on bail, while the other four were remanded in custody.

Investigating officer DC Chris Townrow said: "This was a sophisticated and well organised criminal operation and to have secured guilty pleas early on demonstrates the compelling but complex evidence that they were all facing.

"This group were determined to sell on the streets of Ipswich bringing misery to residents and vulnerable people.

"We have taken apart their business, disrupted their criminal activity and secured convictions against all offenders involved.

"This is the kind of activity we are targeting and we will continue to take robust action against those who deal drugs around the county.

"I am pleased with today's sentence and it should be a warning to those dealing that we will not tolerate it

"We will continue to listen to concerns of residents and our commitment to tackle Class A drug dealing in the county under the force wide Operation Velocity banner remains strong."

Detective Superintendent David Giles, head of the Serious Crime Disruption Team (SCDT) said: "This is a great result and I would like to acknowledge the tenacious work that my investigation team have shown in securing these convictions and sentences.

"The group did not plead guilty initially, and tried many tactics to get the case discontinued, to try and minimise their involvement, before eventually pleading guilty to these serious crimes."

"We will continue to pursue, disrupt and arrest those people bringing criminality or anti-social behaviour, as well as constantly gathering intelligence that members of the public provide and for which we are grateful for."

The supply and dealing of illegal drugs will not be tolerated and residents can be reassured that any information passed to police will be acted on.

Anyone concerned about drug related activity in their neighbourhood should contact police on 101, or you can provide any information anonymously by calling the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

The SCDT core aim is to disrupt serious and organised gangs whose criminal activity focuses on issues such as drug supply and harmful personal acquisitive crime such as robbery/burglary.

The team develops the relevant information and intelligence, conduct enforcement activity and then provide an officer who will build the case and see the investigation through to trial.