The below video shows the moment a drug dealer crashed into oncoming cars whilst trying to escape from the police.

On Monday, he was jailed for nine years.

Just before 5.30pm on April 12, 2021, our officers patrolling Brierfield came across a suspicious grey Saab on Halifax Road.

When the Saab stopped in stationary traffic on Lomeshaye Road, our officers got out of their police van and approached the vehicle being driven by defendant Mahroz Basat (pictured right).

As our officers approached the Saab, Basat accelerated and steered onto the opposite side of the road, crashing head on with an oncoming vehicle. Just seconds later, he tried to force his way through traffic, becoming wedged between two cars.

Basat and his front seat passenger, Aquib Ansar, were quickly detained by our officers.

Ansar was found with 45 snap bags of cannabis, a mobile phone containing messages associated with drug dealing and £415 in cash.

Basat was found in possession of £150 cash.

Inside his vehicle, we found packages of cocaine, snap bags of cannabis, two mobile phones linked to  drug dealing, 60 diazepam tablets and drugs packaging.

Basat, 29, of Kensington Street, Nelson, was arrested and subsequently charged with possession with intent to supply cannabis and cocaine, being concerned in the supply of cannabis and cocaine, dangerous driving, and drug driving.

Ansar (pictured right) , also 29, of Manchester Road, Nelson, was arrested and charged with possession with intent to supply cannabis and being concerned in the supply of cannabis and cocaine.

 Only two months prior to these offences, Basat was stopped in a Volkswagen Golf, after it had been seen driving at a high speed in Casterton Avenue, Burnley.

Basat was searched by our officers and was found to have £125.50 in cash, snap bags containing tablets, and a mobile phone.

Following a search of Basat’s home, our officers found: £1,950 in a Stone Island jacket, £795 in a VOI jacket, snap bags, two Nokia mobile phones, a tub of Temazepam tablets, dealer lists, and a Gucci wallet containing £450.

A car outside of Basat’s home was searched and our officers found a block of white powder, a quantity of Temazepam and snap bags containing cannabis.

Basat was arrested, and later charged with possession with intent to supply cocaine, cannabis, and a class C drug, and being concerned in the supply of cocaine, cannabis and a class C drug.

Basat pleaded guilty and was sentenced at Burnley Crown Court on Monday (August 21).

He was jailed for 9 years for possession with intent to supply class A drugs, possession with intent to supply class B drugs, possession of class B drugs and dangerous driving.

Ansar was sentenced at an earlier hearing, also at Burnley Crown Court. He was jailed for three years and nine months for possession with intent to supply cannabis and cocaine.

PC Tom Archer said: “Over the course of a few months in 2021, Basat chose to endanger others by driving recklessly in attempt to escape justice and preyed on some of the most vulnerable members of society by selling illegal drugs. His behaviour can only be described as abhorrent.

“Following good, pro-active policing, both defendants have been brought to justice and have now received significant custodial sentences.”