Man jailed for three years for Newmarket drug offences

A man has been jailed for three years in jail in connection with drug offences in Newmarket.

Jerome Underhill, (pictured above) aged 31 and from Mount Pleasant Lane, in London, was sentenced to three years in prison at Ipswich Crown Court on Friday, March 31, for being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs, namely heroin and cocaine between November 21, 2022, and December 13, 2022, and possession with intent to supply class A drugs, namely heroin and cocaine on July 4, 2019.

He had pleaded guilty to all of the offences at an earlier hearing on February 23.

Underhill was arrested and charged after joint work by the Serious Crime and Disruption Team and the Met Police as part of an Op Orochi operation.

The investigating officers identified that Underhill was the line holder of a mobile phone number using the business name “Trigger line” which had supplied Class A drugs in Newmarket between November and December 2022.

He was arrested at his home address in Mount Pleasant Lane, London, on January 25, 2023, and was transported to Bury St Edmunds Police investigation Centre for questioning

When in custody, fingerprints were taken from Underhill and these matched fingerprints which were located on a package which contained 67 wraps of crack cocaine and 50 wraps of heroin which were discarded whilst police were pursuing a vehicle Underhill was driving on July 4, 2019.

This package was recovered when police returned to the scene after a strip search of Underhill was conducted and with no items located he was allowed on his way.

Detective Inspector Greg Moore said: “This is another example of Suffolk Constabulary continuing the fight against County Lines activity. This result was received by our Serious Crime Disruption Teams working in tandem with partner forces to achieve this conviction. No drug supply activity is victimless and we will continue to work tirelessly in this way to protect the public.”

Operation Orochi is a collaboration set up by Suffolk Constabulary with the Metropolitan Police to tackle County Lines drug dealing that operates between London and Suffolk.

If you suspect drug dealing is taking place in your area or see anything suspicious or out of place, please tell us. You don’t have to be certain, just concerned.

Call police on 101, or alternatively you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers to report anonymously – either online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling 0800 555 111.