Two brothers involved in “street dealing” cocaine across Bolton have been brought before the courts to face justice.

Riaz Baz, 50, had been caught by police three separate times carrying hard drugs, while his 43-year-old brother Riaz was stopped by officers on a separate occasion in the Halliwell Road area.

Bolton Crown Court heard how Mohammed Bax had been caught with cocaine, cash and mobile phones on April 29 when officers told him to pull over in his car.

The Honorary Recorder for Bolton Judge Martin Walsh said: “You were effectively involved in street dealing at the time of your arrest.”

He added: “I’m quite satisfied that this was linked to the criminality of your brother.”

The case was heard at Bolton Crown CourtThe case was heard at Bolton Crown Court (Image: Newsquest)

The court had heard previously from prosecutor Wayne Jackson how older brother Riaz Bax had been involved in three separate sets of crimes, all related to drug dealing.

On August 28 2022, Riaz was stopped by police on Manchester Road with 45 snap bags of cocaine, 12 bags of cannabis, £900 in cash and two mobile phones.

He was released under investigation but was stopped by police again on October 17 after a high-speed chase in a Honda Accord.

The court heard how he drove at high speeds through residential areas and “narrowly avoided” crashing into passing schoolchildren.

But he was caught again with bags of cocaine, £425 in cash and two mobile phones.

Riaz BaxRiaz Bax (Image: GMP)

Judge Walsh said: “Somewhat surprisingly in light of your previous offending you were again released under investigation.”

Riaz Bax was caught for a third time, this time on the same day as his brother Mohammed, on April 29 last year when he was found to be carrying a 3kg block of cocaine in his car.

Further searches at his home found more drug paraphernalia stashed away.

Judge Walsh said: “At the very least, you played a significant role in the possession of that 3kg which was intended for onward sale.”

He added: “Having regard to the volume and value of the drugs in your possession, there must have been an expectation of significant financial gain.”

Riaz Bax, of Kenton Close, Halliwell, eventually pleaded guilty to possession of Class A drugs with intent to supply, possession of criminal property and dangerous driving.

Mohammed BaxMohammed Bax (Image: GMP)

Younger brother Mohammed, of Avenue Street, Halliwell, pleaded guilty to possession of Class A drugs with intent to supply and possession of criminal property.

But Judge Walsh pointed out that Riaz had also added contempt of court to his offences, which the older Bax admitted, when he appeared to threaten a police officer at a later court hearing.

Alistair Reid, defending Riaz, accepted this “was a foolish, frankly stupid immature reaction” and said that the older Bax had “very significant intellectual limitations".

Oliver Jarvis, defending Mohammed, said he had earned credit for his guilty plea and pointed out that he had no previous convictions for drug offending.

But Judge Walsh reminded the court of the devastating consequences of crimes like those of the Bax brothers.

He said: “Anyone who spends any time in these courts will realise the devastation caused by addiction to drugs.”

He added: “Families are devastated, and communities are blighted.”

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Judge Walsh jailed Riaz Bax for nine years and six months and banned him from driving for three years.

He jailed Mohammed Bax for three years and four months.

Detective Constable Robert Bond said: “This was a long investigation where the Bax brothers undertook several dangerous actions over the space of two years.

“Not only was their being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs a serious problem, their actions when it came to dangerous driving, lying to officers and Riaz later being in contempt of court shows their reckless actions and lack of regard for the law and the people of Bolton.

“Today’s (Monday) sentences put two dangerous offenders behind bars and thanks to our officers, cocaine worth up to £300,000 has been removed from the streets and away from blighting our communities.”