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Ellisons Solicitors

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Ellisons' new premises at Connexions on Princes Street, Ipswich

Ellisons Solicitors

Providing businesses and the people of Ipswich with trusted legal advice

Albanian drug dealer jailed after hiding cocaine in underwear

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Ellisons Solicitors

Ellisons Solicitors

Proud supporters of free and independent local journalism in Ipswich

An Albanian man who concealed cocaine in his underwear and presented a fake driving licence to police has been jailed for 38 months.

Why it matters: The arrest led to the discovery of more than £20,000 worth of uncut cocaine at an Ipswich address. Regi Salillari, 28, from Albania, was stopped by officers from the West Area Sentinel team on 29 January while driving in Thorney Way, Stowmarket.

Albanian drug dealer Regi Salillari
Albanian drug dealer Regi SalillariSuffolk Constabulary

The details: When approached by police, Salillari attempted to deceive officers by producing a counterfeit Italian driving licence.

Officers searched him and found:

  • Four bags of cocaine hidden in his underwear

  • More than £500 in cash

Following his arrest, a search of an address in Ipswich uncovered:

  • More than £20,000 worth of uncut cocaine

  • Over £1,000 in cash

Cash and cocaine was seized by police
Cash and cocaine was seized by policeSuffolk Constabulary

In court: Salillari appeared at Ipswich Crown Court on 26 March, where he pleaded guilty to:

  • Possession with intent to supply cocaine

  • Driving with no insurance

  • Possessing a fraudulent document with intent to deceive

What they're saying: PC Harry Tully from the West Sentinel team said: "Salillari came to Stowmarket with the sole intention of supplying Class A drugs in the town. When intercepted by officers he attempted to deceive them by proving false details and producing fake documents which he had clearly gone to some lengths to obtain."

"Fortunately, the tenacious officers quickly saw past this elaborate ruse and he was arrested. We will continue to proactively target those involved in organised crime wherever they might be in our county."

The bottom line: Salillari now begins a 38-month prison term, as Suffolk authorities maintain their stance of significant custodial sentences for Class A drug dealers operating in the county.

Ellisons' new premises at Connexions on Princes Street, Ipswich

Ellisons Solicitors

Providing businesses and the people of Ipswich with trusted legal advice

Ellisons' new premises at Connexions on Princes Street, Ipswich

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Has Fabio Wardley's 'dream' Portman Road fight moved one step closer?

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Ellisons Solicitors

Ellisons Solicitors

Proud supporters of free and independent local journalism in Ipswich

The British heavyweight champion and diehard Ipswich Town fan could see his ambition to fight at his beloved club become reality after a new licence application.

Why it matters: Ipswich Town Football Club has applied for a variation of its licence at Portman Road. The application has requested boxing or wrestling entertainment to take place between 12:00 and 22:30 on Sundays to Thursdays, as well as 12:00 to 23:00 on Fridays and Saturdays.

West Stand at Portman Road stadium in Ipswich
West Stand at Portman Road stadium in IpswichHolly Woodard-Williams

What they're saying: Speaking with the BBC, an ITFC spokesperson said: "Following infrastructure improvements to Portman Road over the past couple of years, it will not be uncommon for the stadium to apply for various licences to host events across different sectors; this is just one of many that will start to appear."

For context: British heavyweight champion and Ipswich Town fan Fabio Wardley said it was his "dream" to fight at the ground.

In October 2024, Wardley told BBC Radio Suffolk he wanted to fight at Portman Road, saying: "It's still the dream and it's on the cards".

"If anything it's closer than ever now because being with Frank Warren my promoter, he's done stadium shows before and he knows how to put them on.

"When it happens is still a massive question but pieces are definitely falling into place for this."

Fabio Wardley at Portman Road stadium in Ipswich
Fabio Wardley at Portman Road stadium in IpswichAlamy

The bigger picture: Ipswich Town chief executive, Mark Ashton, said in November 2024 that the club had been in discussion with Wardley about appearing at the ground and that it was in the "pipeline" but not "imminent".

The details: The club has also requested to be permitted to include live music performances, playing of recorded music, dance performances as well as alcohol sales and late night refreshments.

Portman Road underwent a series of improvements last summer to prepare the ground for Premier League football, including new media facilities, more executive boxes and the introduction of safe standing areas at the ground for the first time.

What's next: Posters advertising the change have been put up in the area around the ground with people able to have their say on the change until 24 April.

Ellisons' new premises at Connexions on Princes Street, Ipswich

Ellisons Solicitors

Providing businesses and the people of Ipswich with trusted legal advice

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