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Suffolk Premium Bonds holders scoop over £8.2m in prizes this month

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Ipswich.co.uk Logomark in a circle

Ipswich's only independent news website

We publish the stories that matter and champion everything that's good about our town – without the ads, popups or tracking

Suffolk residents have won over £8.2 million in Premium Bonds prizes this month, with thousands of bondholders scooping cash rewards.

The big picture: Premium Bonds, issued by National Savings and Investment (NS&I), offer a unique investment opportunity where holders can win tax-free prizes ranging from £25 to £1 million instead of earning traditional interest.

By the numbers: This month, 103,575 prizes were awarded to Suffolk bondholders with a total value of £8,245,275.

  • 294 Suffolk residents won £1,000 prizes

  • 34 bondholders scooped £5,000 rewards

  • 20 lucky investors claimed £10,000 prizes

  • 7 Suffolk residents won substantial £25,000 prizes

  • 3 bondholders hit the £50,000 jackpot

  • 4 fortunate investors claimed the top prize of £100,000

How it works: Premium Bonds are entered into a monthly prize draw, giving holders the chance to win cash prizes while their initial investment remains safe. The odds of winning a prize in the monthly draw are one in 21,000.

The bottom line: While not guaranteed to win, Premium Bonds offer investors an opportunity to potentially grow their savings through tax-free prize draws. If you want to find out more, Money Saving Expert's Martin Lewis has a good guide: https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/savings/premium-bonds/

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Albanian drug dealer jailed after hiding cocaine in underwear

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Ipswich.co.uk Logomark in a circle

Ipswich's only independent news website

We publish the stories that matter and champion everything that's good about our town – without the ads, popups or tracking

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.

Oliver Rouane-Williams speaking with an elderly couple in the town centre

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If you value strong, free, independent local media that fights tirelessly for our town, please consider contributing just £24 per year

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