Three men have been sentenced to more than 24 years in prison for their roles in a large-scale drug supply operation in Ipswich.
Azem Ferizolli, aged 24, of Woodward Road, Dagenham, was jailed for eight years and six months; Halit Ferizolli, aged 34, of Woodrush Way, Romford, received a nine-year sentence; and Genart Loca, aged 23, of Valence Circus, Dagenham, was sentenced to seven years. The trio pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine and were sentenced at Ipswich Crown Court on Monday, 3 March.
The case is linked to a previous prosecution in 2023, where five other men pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine between December 2020 and July 2022. These individuals received a total of around 15 years in prison:
- Avenis Dida, 22, of no fixed address, jailed for 32 months.
- Hayg Boduryan, 33, of Freehold Road, Ipswich, sentenced to four years.
- Kastriot Rexha, 24, of no fixed address, jailed for 32 months.
- Arxhend Bera, 18, of Ipswich Street, Stowmarket, sentenced to 30 months.
- Artan Kastrati, 33, of Hanworth Road, Hounslow, jailed for 38 months.
The arrests followed a series of coordinated raids in July 2022 at properties in Ipswich and the London area. Officers from the Serious Organised Crime Unit, in conjunction with the Metropolitan Police, executed warrants at multiple addresses, leading to the discovery of significant criminal assets. Authorities recovered approximately:
- £50,000 in cash
- Two Rolex watches valued at £25,000
- Designer clothing, footwear, and handbags worth £10,000
- A Toyota Prius valued at around £7,000
- Approximately £10,000 worth of suspected cocaine
- A suspected fake passport
The operation was supported by the Norfolk and Suffolk Serious and Organised Crime Unit, with assistance from the Metropolitan Police Service, Immigration Enforcement, and the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA).
Police Statement
DC Chris Townrow from the Serious Organised Crime Unit emphasized the significance of this case, stating:
“This was an extensive, proactive operation between ourselves and the Met, leading to the successful prosecution of three more members of this network. I hope this result sends a clear message that we will continue to pursue gangs in this way, wherever they operate in the UK. The harm that drugs cause communities across the country will not be tolerated.”
He added:
“This case highlights that individuals higher up in the supply chain who may think they are untouchable from their remote bases in larger cities are not above the law. We will find them and ensure they are brought to justice, along with those they send to distribute drugs.”
The authorities reaffirmed their commitment to tackling drug-related crime, stating that collaboration between police forces is crucial to disrupting supply networks and protecting vulnerable people affected by drug-related criminality.
Public Appeal
The police urge the public to report any suspicious activity related to drug dealing. Anyone with information can call the police on 101 or report anonymously via Crimestoppers at www.crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling 0800 555 111.
