Police uncovered a giant cannabis farm at a former bingo hall.
It is understood that around 3,000 plants were found growing at the location in Broad Street, Barry. It comes after police were called to the property at midday on Monday, March 13 after National Grid UK raised concerns over the electricity supply.
Officers said the "substantial" factory could be "one of the largest" in the area in recent years. It was spread across six floors and 20 rooms while each plant had a street value of roughly £1,000, Wales Online reports.
At the time of the raid, nobody was at the property, according to police. However, there were several beds alongside kitchen facilities, food, and clothing which indicated people had been staying there.
The factory, which contains thousands of pounds worth of equipment, is now being dismantled while enquiries continue to identify and arrest those involved in the cultivation. PC Beth Harrison of South Wales Police said: “Many people think it is ‘just a bit of cannabis’ but any production of drugs is linked to hidden harm.
“These large operations are often run by organised crime gangs, who are likely to engage in very serious violence. The electrical requirements to grow this many plants are also really dangerous and can be a huge fire risk, putting neighbouring properties, and lives, in danger.
"We would encourage people to please continue to report suspicious behaviour and suspected drug dealing in their neighbourhood to us, as the information helps us develop a bigger picture that leads us to take action and remove drugs from the streets."
Anyone with information about this cannabis factory is asked to contact South Wales Police quoting occurrence 2300081223.
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