AN ABERYSTWYTH cannabis dealer was “so stupid” he kept his passport with his drugs money, a judge heard.

Detectives could not believe their luck when the opened a safe and found £8,000 in cash and a passport belonging to Sadik Miah, complete with photograph.

Miah, 25, of Dynevor, Lovedon Road, and Frank Hadfield, 49, of Vulcan Street, also Aberystwyth, appeared before Judge Paul Thomas at Swansea Crown Court after they both admitted possessing cannabis with intent to supply.

Helen Randall, prosecuting, said police searched Hadfield’s home on June 7 and found 356 grams of cannabis worth £3,564 on the streets and a safe containing the cash and the passport.

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.

All told, said Miss Randell, drugs worth £5,100 were recovered during the operation.

Paul Hobson, representing Miah, 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.

He added that half the £8,000 had come from legitimate sources but Miah did not expect to hold onto any of it.

Judge Thomas said Miah had been a significant drugs supplier in a university town and should have known that getting involved in the murky world of drugs could have unpleasant consequences.

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

He must also attend 15 sessions of rehabilitation and will be tested for cannabis usage.

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

The court heard that a Proceeds of Crime investigation was under way to determine how much the pair made out of drugs deals and how much money can be recovered.