AN Aberystwyth cannabis dealer has had £8,420 confiscated and has been warned that prosecutors may also try to recover £31,580 from him.

Sadik Miah, 25, of Dynevor, Loveden Road, is under a suspended prison sentence after he admitted possessing cannabis with intent to supply. He was back at Swansea Crown Court on Friday for a Proceeds of Crime Act hearing before Judge Peter Heywood.

Nicola Powell, prosecuting, said it had been agreed that he had made £40,000 out of dealing in drugs.

The readily identifiable money was £8,420 in cash Miah kept in a safe at the home of Frank Hadfield, 49, of Vulcan Street, Aberystwyth, which Judge Heywood confiscated. That left £31,580 outstanding which the Crown Prosecution Service may try to recover at a later date.

Detectives could not believe their luck when they opened the safe and found the cash and a passport belonging to Miah complete with photograph. They also found 356 grams of cannabis worth £3,564 on the streets.

Detectives then went to Miah’s house and as soon as they knocked on the door several men ran out of the back and jumped over a fence.

Police found 64 grams of cannabis and a further 89 grams at an address in Cambrian Place that Miah had access to.

Paul Hobson, representing Miah at that earlier hearing, said he had a cannabis habit and had turned to dealing to pay his suppliers. He was stupid, added Mr Hobson, to keep his passport with his drugs money.

Miah was jailed for 12 months, suspended for 12 months, and ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work for the community.

Hadfield was made the subject of a 12-month community order and told to carry out 150 hours of work.