Two drug dealers have been sent to prison after dumping bags of cocaine during a police chase through Macclesfield.

Sadiq Al-Lami, 23, and Rois Cook, 28, flung 12 wraps of cocaine from their Mercedes at the roundabout near McDonald’s, a court heard. They tossed the drugs - weighing a total of five grammes - as they were pursued by police in a chase which started at the Manchester Airport Link Road and got up to speeds of up to 120 mph.

Warrington Crown Court heard the men were dealing to pay off debts from their own drug taking. Judge Tina Landale, who sentenced the pair to 30 months in prison each, said: “You were caught red handed and were under the influence of cocaine at the time. You had a significant role as street dealers. I don’t think you were exploited, you involved yourself in drug use and your debt escalated.”

Al-Lami, of Bollywood Court, Wilmslow, and Rois Cook, of South Drive, Stockport, pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine with intent to supply, for the incident on December 19 last year.

Defence solicitors for the men said they were both well regarded in their communities and have stopped taking drugs.