Rochdale drug dealer jailed for 7 years despite attempting to flee

Shabaz Ali was found hiding in a garden

A drug dealer who was caught hiding in a garden after crashing his car in police pursuit has been sentenced to seven years in jail.

Shabaz Ali, 32, from Rochdale, also known as “Greeneyes”, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply class A drugs, dangerous driving, and driving whilst disqualified.

On Thursday 2 November 2023, GMP's Tactical Vehicle Intercept Unit were deployed to Rochdale when they spotted a suspicious white VW Golf GTI on Kingsway. The car failed to stop, and a pursuit was authorised.

During the pursuit, Ali reached speeds exceeding 90mph in 30mph speed limit zones, endangering innocent members of the public. The pursuit continued through local housing estates until Ali collided with a curb and fled.

Ali tried to run, but with the assistance of the National Police Air Service, officers were able to locate him hiding in the rear garden of a nearby residential property where he was arrested.

The true reason for Ali’s refusal to stop became evident when officers searched the car. A substantial amount of class A drugs – specifically crack cocaine and heroin – were discovered in the car. A total of 814 individual wraps were recovered, along with an additional package containing enough heroin for a further 130 individual wraps. Police say the total haul is valued at approximately £10,000.

Detective Sergeant Gabe Gibson, from Rochdale’s Challenger Organised Crime Team, said: “Ali's reckless actions and outrageous display of driving endangered innocent members of the public.

“The recovery of £10k worth of class A drugs showed the true nature of his greedy mindset - making vast sums of money via the abhorrent trade of selling heroin and crack cocaine on the streets of Rochdale.

“Collaboration with GMP’s Force County Lines and Tactical Vehicle Intercept Unit allowed for overwhelming evidence to be presented, ultimately leading to Ali pleading guilty.

“Whilst Ali contemplates his actions over the next several years from the confines of his cell, we remain committed to relentlessly pursuing those involved in drug supply and organised crime across Rochdale.”