Two men, one from Southall, have been sentenced to over five years in prison for their involvement in drug-related offenses in Ipswich.

Abdulkadir Ali, a 22-year-old resident of Ditton Road in Southall, was sentenced to 42 months in prison by Ipswich Crown Court on 12 January 2023 after being convicted of involvement in the distribution of Class A drugs at a previous hearing in November 2022.

Ali became a subject of interest to the police after co-defendant Ruben Rehman was arrested by police in Ipswich during a welfare check at a cuckooed address. A cuckooed address is when a drug dealer or a gang takes over a vulnerable adult's address for criminal purposes.

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Rehman was found with a quantity of cocaine, a large sum of money and a phone. Phone analysis revealed that Rehman and Ali were in frequent communication.

Police identified a phone number used in the distribution of Class A drugs through the "Kenny" line. This was frequently used in proximity to a phone number belonging to Ali, suggesting he was in control of the line. Ali's phone number was also in communication with Rehman's phone.

The pattern of activity indicated that Ali was receiving orders for Class A drugs through the "Kenny" line, and then distributing them to Rehman in Ipswich via his personal number.

In August 2022, 19-year-old Rehman from Belgrave Road in Ilford pleaded guilty to his involvement in the drug offense. He was sentenced to 22 months in prison for being involved in the distribution of Class A drugs and possession with intent to supply Class A drugs.

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Investigating officer DC Eilish Currie said: "The guilty verdict and the sentence is an important win for Suffolk police and the Metropolitan Police in their ongoing battle against County Lines drug dealing to the Ipswich area."

"Ali could provide no substantial defence to prove his innocence in the supply of Class A drugs, choosing instead to boil all evidence put to him down to a mere coincidence. Alongside the guilty plea already submitted by Ali's co-defendant Rehman there was no other choice today than to find Mr Ali guilty."

"We will continue to work hard to protect the people of Suffolk from crime and the ongoing battle with Class A drugs in the county"

Custody image of Abdulkadir Ali: Suffolk Constabulary