A DRUG dealer found to have £1,800 worth of cannabis and wads of cash, has been jailed.

Michael Davis, 45, was arrested after police executed a warrant to raid his former home on Albert Street, Cowes, where they discovered more than a quarter of a kilo of cannabis.

Davis, now of High Street, Ventnor, pleaded guilty at the Isle of Wight Magistrates Court on August 5 to supplying cannabis, and appeared at the Isle of Wight Crown Court for sentencing last Friday.

Prosecutor Philip Allman said: "When officers attempted to gain entry to Davis' flat he blocked the door and refused to engage with police so entry had to be forced.

"Inside, officers discovered about a quarter of a kilogram of cannabis, as well as eight separate bundles of cannabis weighing an ounce each.

"The significance of that is when looking at the deal list officers obtained, it becomes evident he must have been dealing in quite large quantities.

"In fact the list seems to imply drug deals up to as much as £10,000."

The court also heard Davis had told police he had a gambling problem, which was responsible for quantities of cash around his property.

Davis' defence, Christopher Stopa, said: "I accept there is always a financial motivation in cases such as these, but he was trying to feed his own habit.

"He has always struggled with his health and he has in the past found that cannabis helps with that.

"He has moved away from the area he was living in, to get away from the pressure of his peers."

Judge Joanna Martin interrupted, saying: "I struggle to believe that a 45-year-old man would be subject to peer pressure, an 18-year-old perhaps, but not someone of his age.

"Roles this man filled are an important part of how people buy drugs on this Island."

She gave Davis an 18-month custodial sentence.

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