Huge haul seized from 'drugs factory' (From Free Press Series)

Huge haul seized from 'drugs factory'

CWMBRAN Police seized over 600 cannabis plants in one of the biggest drug raids the area has seen in 20 years.

Officers of the neighbourhood policing team made the discovery at an address in Croesyceiliog, Cwmbran, last Thursday.

A total of 625 mature cannabis plants were discovered at the 'drugs factory' and the find is thought to have a street value of £20,000.

PC Darrel Dewar, crime and disorder reduction officer for Cwmbran, told the Free Press: "This is one of the biggest finds of my career in Cwmbran, and I have been working here for 20 years. As a result of intelligence obtained by neighbourhood policing, suggesting that there was some sort of drug activity going on at the address, a warrant was issued under the misuse of drugs act and executed at around 4.15pm on Thursday.

"Officers entered the premise and found a substantial cannabis factory. It was a real professional set up," he said.

Inside the privately rented property three bedrooms and an attic room were found to be full of cannabis plants complete with halogen lights and heat lamps. All the plants and equipment were seized by officers and taken to Cwmbran Police Station.

He continued: "The smell just hit you as you entered the house and all the plants were in the advanced stage of growth."

PC Dewar explained the investigation is still in the early stages and appealed for anyone with information to contact police.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Cwmbran Police on 01633 838111. One man was arrested and questioned by police.