Fourth Man Convicted in Croydon Drug Dealer Stabbing After Fleeing to Pakistan
A fourth man has been convicted for his role in the violent killing of a drug dealer in Croydon, after fleeing the country immediately following the attack and remaining abroad for months. Ali Abdul Basit, 19, was found guilty of manslaughter and robbery at the Old Bailey for the death of Michael Patrick Afonso Peixoto, who was stabbed five times in Thornton Heath in 2023.
Fatal Ambush and Immediate Flight
Michael Patrick Afonso Peixoto, a known drug dealer, was ambushed by a group of men who had arranged to purchase drugs from him. As he approached a BMW where the assailants were waiting, he was confronted by a man wielding a large knife. Peixoto was stabbed multiple times, including once through the heart, before collapsing in a driveway. Ali Abdul Basit fled the scene immediately after the stabbing, traveling through Dubai, Venice, and Egypt before eventually settling in Pakistan, where he stayed for an extended period.
Investigation and Previous Convictions
While Basit was abroad, three of his accomplices were convicted in 2024 based on DNA evidence collected from cigarette butts found near their parked car at the crime scene. Zak Baako was found guilty of murder, John Budal was convicted of manslaughter and robbery, and Omari Peat was found guilty of robbery. Detectives from the Metropolitan Police continued to pursue Basit, linking him to the attack through phone data that connected him to the other convicted men at the time of the assault.
Return to the UK and Arrest
Basit returned to the United Kingdom in May 2025, after two years overseas. He was promptly arrested and charged with murder. Following a three-week trial, the jury convicted him of the lesser charges of manslaughter and robbery. Detective Inspector Martin Thorpe, who led the investigation, stated that Basit may have returned under the false belief that he had evaded justice, but officers had compiled substantial evidence against him.
DNA Evidence and Sentencing
Upon his arrest, police obtained Basit's DNA from an asthma inhaler at his residence, which matched DNA found on a cigarette butt at the scene of the crime. This crucial evidence solidified the case against him. Basit is scheduled to be sentenced on Friday, May 22. Detective Inspector Thorpe emphasized that this conviction underscores the Met Police's relentless pursuit of justice, ensuring that individuals who commit violent acts are held accountable, regardless of attempts to flee or evade capture.
