Man jailed in connection with supply of drugs in Bury St Edmunds

He was found guilty of drug offences in Bury St Edmunds.

Author: Abi SimpsonPublished 10th Mar 2021

Joshua Campos, who's 20 and from Ashley Road in Thornton Heath in London was found guilty of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs at Swindon Crown Court.

He's been given four years in prison.

In April 2020, Suffolk Police's Serious Crime Disruption Team (SCDT) carried out a raid at a property in Bury St Edmunds and seized a phone.

On it messages were found advertising the sale of Class A drugs.

Campos was then arrested in the September and charged with two counts of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs in Bury St Edmunds, namely crack cocaine and heroin between December 1st 2019 and 16th March 2020.

Campos was also charged in relation to drug offences in North Somerset in a separate case.

His arrest came as part of Operation Orochi, which is led by the Metropolitan Police.

It's been going on in Suffolk since February 2020 and focuses on analysing data from mobile phones used to buy and sell crack cocaine and heroin by dealers and controllers.

Officers from Suffolk then pass the information to a specialist team at the Met who then investigate to try and identify the line controller and find their location.

It's all to try and disrupt serious and organised criminal gangs.

DC Dave Murphy from the SCDT said: "From the examination of the call data obtained it was established that Campos was the phone line controller.

"Protecting our neighbourhoods from drug related activity is vital and the force will continue to combat the scourge of drugs in our communities.

"Those who choose to involve themselves in illegal activity involving drugs and related crime, can expect very firm action to be taken against them.

"The message is simple, if you deal in drugs the next knock on the door could be from the police."

PC Charlie Gates, investigating officer at Avon and Somerset Police, said: "Our investigation stemmed from a proactive vehicle stop in May 2020, which led to a warrant being carried out at a property in Worle, north Somerset, where Joshua Campos was located and 104 wraps of class A drugs were recovered.

"This led to a joint investigation with the Met Police and Suffolk Police to uncover the full extent of Campos' offending.

"Campos paid no regard to the harm and impact he was causing in our communities and his sole motivation was to profit from his illegal activities.

"We hope this sends out a strong message out to people that county line drug-dealing will not be tolerated."

Detective Chief Inspector Ben Clark who oversees the Op Orochi operation for Suffolk said: "This is a great example of working closely with another force and a clear demonstration that we will pursue such individuals who cause harm to our communities.

"I also pay tribute to our Serious Crime Disruption Team who are dedicated in bringing criminals to justice and keeping people safe and also offer my gratitude and appreciation to the officers from Avon & Somerset who were also key to securing this conviction."

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