The drug dealers involved in same line as killers who murdered rival Sacad Ali in Sheffield turf war
A further four dealers involved with a Sheffield drug line at the heart of a turf war which led to a 24-year-old being stabbed to death have been brought to justice.
Sacad Ali was fatally knifed by teenagers Barney Griffin and Jack Douglas, after being lured out to Ponderosa Park by their accomplice Rebecca Moore in the early hours of March 9, 2024.
The killer trio were sent to begin life sentences a year ago, in November 2024, after Griffin and Douglas, then aged 18 and 17 respectively, pleaded guilty to murder and Moore, then 25, was found guilty of the same offence at the conclusion of a Sheffield Crown Court trial.
The court heard how Griffin, formerly of Dixon Drive, Wharncliffe Side, Sheffield, and Douglas, formerly of Brightholmlee Lane, Wharncliffe Side, Sheffield, both worked for a drug line operating in the Upperthorpe area of the city, and formed the murderous plot to kill Mr Ali over the belief he had strayed on to their turf.
Moore, formerly of Springvale Walk, Upperthorpe, Sheffield, was a sex worker, who frequently bought drugs from her co-accused, and is believed to have become involved in the scheme through her connection to the line.
Now, four other men involved with the same Upperthorpe drug line - Kane Darcy, Joseph Cullen, Samuel Wilson and Peter Ashton - have been brought to justice after admitting to a number of offences.
Speaking today (Wednesday, November 26, 2025), a South Yorkshire Police spokesperson said of the investigation: “Fortify officers painstakingly reviewed existing cases, analysed phone data and utilised other specialised police tactics to prove the four defendants were operating a dedicated drugs line, which brought drugs and drug dealers from around the city into Crookes, Walkley and Upperthorpe.
“Fortify officers began to uncover the extent of the network following the murder of Sacad Ali in Ponderosa Park in March 2024. Sacad was killed due to a turf war with others linked to the same drugs line operated by the defendants.
“Following Sacad's death, the original phone number for the line was no longer used, but officers were able to identify two new numbers.
“They subsequently untangled the web of criminality, and the offenders who had been operating the drugs network.
“Evidence the officers recovered in the case included crack cocaine, heroin, over 2kg of cannabis, over £6,700 in cash and jewellery, and an industrial 'cocaine press’. The evidence showed that Darcy was the main controller of the line, with Ashton, Cullen and Wilson working for him at various points.”
Experts gave a conservative estimate that at least 1.72kg of class A drugs had been supplied through the two numbers.
All four defendants were subsequently charged with, and pleaded guilty to, being concerned in the supply of heroin and crack cocaine.
They were all jailed during a Sheffield Crown Court hearing held on November 19, 2025.
Darcy, aged 27, of Boynton Crescent, Norwood, Sheffield, was jailed for eight years.
Cullen, aged 22, of Lee Avenue, Deepcar, Sheffield, was jailed for 50 months.
Wilson, aged 22, of Harborough Avenue, Manor, Sheffield, was jailed for 45 months.
Ashton, aged 52, of Brick Street, Crookes, Sheffield, was jailed for 40 months.
Speaking after the quartet were jailed, Fortify DC Mike Jenkins, the investigating officer, said: "These four drug dealers are responsible for supplying large quantities of class A drugs, which truly destroy lives and communities.
"Anyone who is caught up in this world needs to know - we will track you down and you will face the consequences of your actions.
“We are committed to tackling these crimes and I am pleased that four more offenders are now behind bars for the part they have played in this unacceptable criminality."