33 month jail term for Ipswich drug offender

A man has been jailed for nearly three years for drug offences in Ipswich.

Algert Lama, aged 22 and from London Road in Ipswich pleaded guilty at Ipswich Crown Court yesterday (Thur 1Aug)  to possession of cocaine with the intent to supply, being concerned in the supply of cocaine and possession of criminal property.

He was jailed for 33 months.

It follows an incident on 16 February 2024, when officers from the Sentinel Team saw Lama secure a bicycle on a bicycle rack on London Road Ipswich. He has walked behind Millers Fish and Chip shop before shortly returning to the area on a different bicycle.

The officers have attempted to speak to him however, as they approached, Lama saw them, dropped the bicycle and ran off through the retail park. Officers chased him down a path along the River Gipping before he was being stopped and detained on West End Road.

Lama discarded £200 cash in the nearby bushes just prior to being stopped, which a police dog discovered.

A search was conducted at a top floor flat where Lama’s bank card and a sales agreement for his mobile phone were found. Further items were seized including 15 grip seal bags of cocaine, a knife and £590 in cash. 

His mobile phone was also seized and after interrogation of the phone messages relating of drug supply were found dating back to 1 January 2024.

Suffolk Constabulary has three Operation Sentinel teams. Set up in 2019, they provide enhanced coverage of Suffolk’s road network. Based across the county, they work to disrupt serious and organised criminal activity as well as to increase police visibility.

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. You don’t have to be certain, just concerned.

Report online via the Website – www.suffolk.police.uk/tell-us, call us on 101 or if you prefer you can contact Crimestoppers to report anonymously – online or by calling 0800 555 111.