Ipswich – Drug dealer jailed

A 25-year-old man has been jailed for over four years for being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs in Ipswich.

Reece Codrington, of Melvin Way, Woolpit, appeared at Ipswich Crown Court on Monday 29 January, where he was sentenced to four years and three months’ imprisonment.

Codrington had pleaded guilty on Monday 20 November - the first day of his trial – to the following five offences:

• Being concerned in the supply of heroin between 22 February 2023 & 28 February 2023
• Being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine between 22 February and 28 February 2023
• Offering to supply Class A drugs to another between 1 January 2017 and 28 February 2023
• Being concerned in the supply of cannabis between 1 January 2017 and 28 February 2023
• Concealing criminal property – namely tens of thousands of pounds – between 25 March 2021 and 23 March 2023

At around midday on 28 February 2023, police officers attended the area of Stoke Park Drive in Ipswich after receiving reports of a man suspected to be dealing drugs in the area.

Codrington was identified as matching the description of the suspect and was detained for a search. Officers rang a phone number which was known to be used by a local drugs line and one of the two phones in Codrington’s possession rang, confirming their suspicions.  

He was then arrested and officers established that Codrington had been at a nearby address immediately prior to being detained by officers, which was confirmed by doorbell camera footage.

This address was the home of a vulnerable woman and it was suspected that Codrington had been using this property to store drugs. Officers subsequently conducted a search of this premises and found lumps of cocaine, wraps of heroin and a large quantity of cannabis (over 1kg), along with digital scales and a number of mobile phones.

A subsequent investigation by the Serious Crime Disruption Team included analysis of Codrington’s mobile phones and found messages which clearly proved his involvement in the supply of various controlled drugs. His DNA was also found on the packaging of the drugs that were located during the search of the address at the vulnerable woman’s home.

Detective Constable Dan Steel, of the Serious Crime Disruption Team, said: “This case is an excellent example of officers responding to intelligence and information from the public regarding suspected drug dealing and taking direction action.

“Reece Codrington was clearly heavily involved in the supply of Class A and Class B drugs in Ipswich and was facilitating this by using the home of a vulnerable woman.

“We will continue to take robust action against those who blight our communities by dealing drugs and who also prey on vulnerable people in the process.”

Anyone who suspects drug-dealing is taking place in their neighbourhood is asked to report it online here: Contact us to report a crime, incident or suspicion | Suffolk Constabulary or call 101.

If you believe a crime is in progress, then call 999.

Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers 100% anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via their online form: www.crimestoppers-uk.org