A drug dealer caught with more than £200,000 worth of cannabis has been jailed for two years and 10 months.

Police found more than 20kg (44lb) of cannabis at Daniel Thomas Caulfield’s home in Reginald Mews, Governor’s Hill, Douglas.

Deemster Alastair Montgomerie told Caulfield while passing sentence: ’This was quite clearly a professional operation by you.’

Caulfield, previously known as McCulloch, admitted two counts of possessing cannabis with intent to supply and one of possessing criminal property, namely £41,530 in cash.

We previously reported how, on Friday, September 7, at 12.25am, police executed a search warrant at 31-year-old Caulfield’s home.

He was in the living room at the time with piles of cash on the floor, heat-sealed bags and a heat-sealing machine.

He was asked if there were any drugs in the house and told police there was cannabis in the kitchen.

As police officers continued their search they also found cannabis in the loft and garden shed.

Snap bags, scales and a tick list were also discovered.

The total amount of drugs found was 6,608 grams of cannabis bush, valued at £132,160, and 13,400 grams of cannabis resin, said to be worth £76,514.

The total weight of the cannabis was 20,008 grams, with an overall value of £208,674.

Police also found cash totalling £41,530 in the house.

When interviewed Caulfield admitted to police that he had sold drugs but added that he used 28 grams of cannabis per day himself.

He claimed the drugs found in his property were for personal use and that £15,000 of the cash found was from savings.

However, he admitted that the remainder of the money was the proceeds of drug-dealing.

Defence advocate Louise Cooil handed in three character references for her client.

A psychiatric report and a probation report were also prepared before sentencing.

A doctor’s report said that Caulfield presented with mental and behavioural disorders due to extensive use of cannabis over the years.

Ms Cooil referred to the probation report which praised Caulfield’s ’determination, honest and hard work’ since the offence.

’He has approached his offending with a very realistic and accepting view,’ said the advocate.

’His role was relatively limited and had last about six months eminating from his own use of cannabis.’

Ms Cooil went on to say that Caulfield had secured an offer of placements if he obtained early day release from his prison sentence.

’He has sought to take the positives from his time on remand.’

Deemster Montgomerie praised Caulfield’s work with probation while on remand and said that a planning meeting had been scheduled to identify appropriate interventations.

The Deemster said: ’It is clear you have reacted very positively to your incarceration. But it’s only the beginning.

’You need to continue to do so throughout the remainder of your time in prison and on your release so you don’t revert to the destructive use of cannabis.’

He added: ’If you avoid controlled drugs on your release, given your skills and work ethic, you have a bright future ahead of you, but at the end of the day, as I always say, it’s your choice.’