Lowestoft men among seven members of a drug gang jailed

Two Lowestoft men are among seven members of a drug gang jailed for supplying drugs.

Ben Houghton and Kyle Meades, both 22 and from Lowestoft, have been jailed for being concerned in the supply of Class A and B drugs.

Houghton, of no fixed address, was sentenced to ten years and five months – while Meades, of Marham Road, was jailed for six years and nine months.

The seven criminals appeared at Norwich Crown Court today, after pleading guilty at earlier hearings.

Detective Sergeant Eddie Hammond from Norfolk Constabulary said: “This case shows Norfolk Constabulary’s dedication to tackling serious organised crime and disrupting those who continue to try and supply drugs in our local communities.”

An investigation into the group led by the Joint Norfolk and Suffolk Serious and Organised Crime unit started in 2021.

The court heard today that the men were all part of an organised crime group, led by Artur Januskiewicz.

The group brought cocaine and cannabis into Norfolk, before running it into Kessingland – around four miles south of Lowestoft in Suffolk.

Artur Januskiewicz, 36, of Verbena Road in Cringleford, Norfolk, was jailed for 14 years and five months for being concerned in the supply of Class A and B drugs.

During the investigation, six large suitcases and a large laundry bag containing 40kg of cannabis were found in the home of Edward Dygus, aged 44 and of Redpoll Road in Costessey, Norfolk.

Dygus was jailed for nine years today, for being concerned in the supply of Class A and B drugs and money laundering.

Dygus had met up with Arjan Kola – who was later arrested with more than £108,000 cash, the cost of 3kg of cocaine.

Kola, 32, of Whitefield Road in Bristol, was jailed for five years and three months today for being concerned in the supply of Class A and B drugs, money laundering and failing to disclose a PIN for a phone.

The final two of the seven gang members were arrested by police for being concerned in the supply of Class A and B drugs and money laundering. They were: Sigitas Ablonskis, 29, of Scott Road in Norwich, who was jailed for 11 years and three months, and Tommy Azahri, 27, of Nursery Close in Norwich – who was jailed for two years.

Officers gained intelligence through home and phone searches.