A man who exploited vulnerable teenagers and forced them to carry drugs has been jailed.

Peter Casey, 24, appeared before Ipswich Crown Court on Thursday, February 9, where he pleaded guilty to arranging or facilitating the travel of an individual for exploitation.

It follows an incident on July 22 last year when police received a report that a missing teenager from Ipswich had been seen in a grey BMW car.

The vehicle was located travelling in the Suffolk town and was stopped in Scrivener Drive, where it was searched.

The four occupants of the vehicle, two men aged in their 20s and 50s, and a boy and a girl, both aged 16, were arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of drugs.

They were taken to Martlesham Police Investigation Centre for further searches and questioning.

An investigation was then conducted by police who determined that Casey had been facilitating the travel of young people around the country and forcing them to carry illegal drugs against their will.

He was subsequently charged under the Modern Slavery Act.

Both teenagers and the man in his 50s faced no further police action.

Casey, of Sterling Close in London, was jailed for five years and three months.

He was also issued with a restraining order and a Slavery Trafficking Prevention Order (STPO) - the first of its kind in Suffolk - for a period of 12 years.

STPOs are civil orders which enable courts to place restrictions on the activities of individuals believed to be at risk of modern slavery offending.

Detective Inspector Thomas Pearse said: “Casey’s sentence represents the first conviction under the modern slavery act in Suffolk, following the introduction of the legislation in 2015.

"Officers are acutely aware that serious and organised criminals will look to avoid responsibility by using young and vulnerable people to carry out their illicit activities.

“On this occasion the young people found with the drugs were treated as victims, with the male responsible for co-ordinating their activity rightly convicted for his role.

"Protecting young and vulnerable people whilst simultaneously targeting criminals who exploit them, remains a priority across the entire constabulary.

“As well as a significant sentence, officers and colleagues from the Crown Prosecution Service successfully sought a Slavery and Trafficking Prevention Order that will see Casey subjected to restrictions for twelve years on his release.

"Particular thanks should go to Detective Constable Dawson who worked tirelessly on the investigation to secure the conviction.”