Thetford woman jailed for supplying heroin

A woman from Thetford has been sentenced to a total of 40 months in prison for supplying heroin.

Natasha Dowling, 35, from Ben Culey Drive, Thetford, appeared at Ipswich Crown Court on Thursday (9 November 2023) after being found guilty of being concerned in the supply of heroin between 1 January 2023 and 6 May 2023.

Police found evidence Dowling, who pleaded guilty, had been actively involved in the supply of Class A drugs. Officers executed a warrant on Wednesday 10 May 2023 at her address where they found further evidence of her involvement in the drugs line. Dowling was subsequently charged with supplying heroin.

The court heard how the messages on her phone were in bulk and to different numbers, behaviour consistent with a drugs line. In total, from 2 January to 1 April 2023, the data showed Dowling has sent out 306 texts offering drugs for sale, believed to be heroin and of similar nature, part of the standard way a drugs line works.

The court heard how Dowling had a difficult childhood, she was a carer for her husband, Michael, known as Tony Dowling. They had set up a small drugs business to fuel their own habit. Tony sadly died while Dowling was remanded in prison.

Detective Constable Daniel Rayner said: “Class A Drugs have a devastating impact, it’s a miserable trade which the police continue to take seriously as it fuels a host of issues including crime, mental health issues and physical and societal problems.”

Photo: Natasha Dowling