A “THRIVING cannabis salesman” was caught with more than £1,800 in cash, a court heard.

The driver of a silver Vauxhall Insignia carried out a suspicious manoeuvre when he was spotted by a police patrol car in Winchester Road, Southampton, police say.

After stopping in the Halfords car park, Cameron Ali Saleem, the front seat passenger, got out and started walking towards Pets at Home.

Moments later he was stopped and searched, with officers seizing £1,862 in cash, an iPhone and a small amount of cannabis.

Prosecution barrister, Edward Elton, said that the 25-year-old of Tickleford Drive, Weston, was “a thriving cannabis salesman” who would sometimes sell cocaine as well.

When police downloaded the contents of his phone they found “drug dealing-type messages”.

There were references to deals of 4.5 ounces worth £720 and 2.5 ounces worth £380.

Appearing before Southampton Crown Court, he was charged with being concerned in the supply of cocaine, a class B drug and possessing criminal property. He pleaded guilty to all charges.

The court heard how Saleem had six previous convictions, however, non for similar matters.

Defending, Khalid Missouri argued that the bulk of his offending occurred when he was a juvenile.

Saleem “started dealing cannabis to pay for his own habit”, but “he has on rare occasion offered to supply cocaine if asked by his cannabis customers if he had any.”

However, he has taken steps to address his offending behaviour and is on his way to becoming a qualified boxing coach, Mr Missouri added.

He was jailed for 16 months but suspended for two years. He must do 280 hours of unpaid work and pay £350 in court costs