Pair jailed for flooding Sheffield with drugs - how police nailed the duo
Convictions follow a complex investigation by specialist police sqad
Two men jailed for their roles in three drug lines operating in Sheffield flooded the city’s streets with “vast quantities” of heroin and crack cocaine.
South Yorkshire Police say their convictions followed a complex investigation by the force’s Sheffield Fortify team - a police squad responsible for tackling serious and organised crime in the city.
Last year it launched an investigation into the 'Frank' 'Mario' and 'Arab' drug lines which were operating predominantly in the Upperthorpe area of the city.
They identified phone numbers linked to each drug line which could be tracked back to 26-year-old Ahmed Ahmed.
Detectives discovered he managed each of the lines, which expert drug witnesses estimated supplied £400,000 of crack cocaine and heroin to the streets of Sheffield over a 10-month period.
Ahmed was arrested in December at his home after a police raid uncovered drugs, cash and paraphernalia linked to drug crime.
Within the property, officers also arrested Kardo Ali - with evidence later linking him as a dealer in Ahmed's operation.
The pair helped flood Sheffield with vast quantities of drugs, wreaking havoc on our local communities
Digital forensic analysis of the devices seized from Ahmed and Ali revealed thousands of bulk marketing messages, as well as stock lists for packages of cocaine and heroin.
The pair were subsequently charged with drug offences and faced with the evidence against them, pleaded guilty.
Ahmed, of Handsworth Road, Handsworth, pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of heroin, being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine and acquiring/ using / possessing criminal property.
He appeared at Sheffield Crown Court on Friday September 11 where he was jailed for seven years and seven months.
Ali, of Utting Avenue East, Norris Green, Liverpool, pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of heroin and being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine.
At the same hearing the 28-year-old was jailed to three years in prison.
Detective Constable Kevin Sibley, the officer in charge of the case, said: "The evidence unearthed in this investigation clearly showed the scale of Ahmed and Ali's offending.
"The pair helped flood Sheffield with vast quantities of drugs, wreaking havoc on our local communities.
“We know that drugs perpetuates the commission of other crimes and often feeds into organised crime groups, making it a priority to ensure those involved in drugs lines are swiftly caught and brought to justice.
"If you suspect drug dealing is happening near where you live, report it to us. Your information could lead to harmful offenders being taken off the streets."
You can contact police online or by calling 101. You can also report things anonymously by calling 0800 555 111.