A drug dealer caught following a police chase in Oldham had been on the run for almost THREE years, a court heard.
Rizwan Hussain, 25, has finally been locked up after he was caught in possession of high-purity cocaine and bundles of cash.
Officers were on patrol in the Oldham area when they spotted a suspicious vehicle at around 3.55am, Minshull Street Crown Court heard.
"The car sped off," said prosecutor Jane Dagnall.
"There was a pursuit where speeds of 45mph were reached.
"Police vehicles were able to block in the car the defendant was in."
The court heard a number of others were in the vehicle.
"The grass leading to nearby bushes had been trampled down - officers shone a torch and saw two bodies.
"One was the defendant."
Within metres of Hussain 24 snap bags of high purity cocaine was scattered on the ground, the court heard.
He was searched and found to be in possession of a further 15 bags plus £435 in cash.
Hussain, of no fixed abode, admitted possession of criminal property and possession of cocaine with intent to supply.
The court heard he had three convictions for five offences dating back to 2010.
The offences were not specified.
"He was at large when these offences were committed, he had been at large since 2018 and told officers he had been living rough," Miss Dagnall added.
Hussain has had problems with drugs and alcohol and was dealing to pay off debts, the court heard.
Hussain was sentenced to six months in prison for being 'unlawfully at large' at the magistrates court and a further three years for the drugs charges at the crown court.
Judge Maurice Green said: "Cocaine is a pernicious drug causing people untold misery in the long run.
"By dealing it you are sadly fuelling that misery and ruination of lives and that's why the courts treat this sort of offending very seriously."
