Have a question?
033 3772 0409

Legal News

Drug dealers taking over homes of vulnerable people, says charity (30 December 2014)

Date: 30/12/2014
Duncan Lewis, Legal News Solicitors, Drug dealers taking over homes of vulnerable people, says charity

A senior social worker at the Ipswich charity the Iceni Project says that there has been a sharp increase in cases involving drug dealers taking over a vulnerable person’s home to deal from – a practice known as “cuckooing”.

Simon Cobb from the Iceni Project – which supports families in Suffolk – said that cuckooing was a growing problem, which was “absolutely devastating” for families. Mr Cobb said that one case involved a frail ex-drug user with two toddlers who was trying to stay off drugs, when a close friend knocked on her door and asked to borrow the phone – but ended up bringing two heavily-built men into the home with her, who set up a drug dealing operation which lasted for two weeks at the flat.

Mr Cobb said that when police officers raided the flat, crack pipes were found beneath a child’s highchair.

Ipswich landlord Martin Holland says that one of his tenants – who has mental health problems – fell victim to drug dealers who used his flat for dealing for four months.

Mr Holland said the tenant’s mental health condition made him vulnerable to being exploited by the drug dealers.

“He was having to go back to a flat that was basically full of people dealing drugs,” said Mr Holland.

“On a couple of occasions the police actually did do raids on the flat – and a dozen or so people were in the flat, none of whom were really proper friends of his.

“They were basically dealing drugs from here... and how could that be any worse for someone?

Mr Holland said that he repeatedly contacted the authorities and his tenant was eventually re-housed. However, it is likely the dealers have simply moved on to another victim and are using another property for their cuckooing operation.

Police say the dealers involved in cuckooing are frequently in their teens and are sent to towns like Ipswich by drug bosses in London, with the aim of supplying drugs locally.

Superintendent Louisa Pepper said Suffolk Police were “relentlessly pursuing” drug dealers who set up dealing operations from people’s homes or come to the area to deal.

“If they are coming here to deal drugs, then we will deal with them – and you will see from the number of individuals going through the courts we have had a lot of success.

“We are using innovative ways to apply legislation to make sure we can hold individuals who have interesting ways of concealing drugs,” she added.

The law allows police to hold a suspect for long enough to enable any wraps they have concealed inside their body to be expelled naturally.

Police in Suffolk are also cooperating with agencies to intervene and help those being targeted – including residents who may not be targeted, but who may end up living next to a property being used for dealing drugs.

Duncan Lewis Housing Solicitors

Duncan Lewis is a leading firm of housing solicitors and can advise private rental tenants, social housing tenants and private homeowners on a wide range of housing matters, including nuisance neighbours.

Duncan Lewis is also a leading firm of Legal Aid solicitors able to advise on:

• Disrepair of rented property
• Housing possession
• Landlord & Tenant disputes
• Local Authority housing
• Mortgage repossession
• Nuisance neighbours
• Unlawful eviction.

For expert legal advice on housing law, call Duncan Lewis housing solicitors on 020 793 4020.

Call us now on 033 3772 0409 or click here to send online enquiry.
Duncan Lewis is the trading name of Duncan Lewis (Solicitors) Limited. Registered Office is Spencer House, 29 Grove Hill Road, Harrow, HA1 3BN. Company Reg. No. 3718422. VAT Reg. No. 718729013. A list of the company's Directors is displayed at the registered offices address. Authorised and Regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority . Offices all across London and in major cities in the UK. ©Duncan Lewis >>Legal Disclaimer, Copyright & Privacy Policy. Duncan Lewis do not accept service by email.