MORE than £18,000 and a large amount of cannabis has been confiscated after a man received a suspended sentence for possession with intent to supply.

James Harden, formerly of Queensway, Reading admitted to the charges at Reading Crown Court on November 29 last year, with the confiscation order being obtained by Thames Valley Police on Friday (May 19).

The 25-year-old was sentenced to 18 months for supplying and 12 months for being in possession of the the Class B drug, with both sentences suspended for two years.

Police executed a warrant to search Harden's Caversham home on August 20, 2015, where 57.65 grams of cannabis and £18,152 in cash was seized from his bedroom.

He was ordered to undertake 100 hours of unpaid community work as part of his punishment.

A set of digital scales and some grip seal bags were also found in the room, while 0.02 grams of cocaine was seized from a downstairs room.

Harden was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply class B drugs, as well as money laundering, in respect of possession of the seized cash.

Forensic examination of a mobile phone belonging to Harden revealed messages believed to relate to the supply of cannabis, cocaine and MDMA.

Harden produced a number of documents and information throughout the trial claiming the cash came from legitimate sources, but the Crown rejected his evidence.

Investigator Alice Jordan of Thames Valley Police economic crime unit said: "On May 19 at Reading Crown Court, drug dealer James Harden was ordered to pay £18,152 under a Proceeds of Crime Act confiscation order.

"He was found to have benefited from his criminal conduct in the sum of £18,752. The order will be fully satisfied with the cash held by police.

"The Proceeds of Crime Act enables us to pursue and permanently deprive offenders from living off the proceeds of criminal conduct."

He is believed to have been a social user of cannabis and cocaine, who had turned to supplying drugs.