Wales has seen a surge in cannabis farms, with police uncovering numerous large-scale operations throughout the year
Carmarthen: This year, police in Wales have been busy busting cannabis farms left and right. It’s wild! They’ve found operations in all sorts of places, from old swimming pools to former newspaper offices. The total value of these farms is in the millions.
Most of these setups are run by organized crime groups. They’re not just growing cannabis; they’re using the profits to fund other illegal activities. Some of these gangs even have ties to international human trafficking networks.
So, what’s been discovered? Well, there are some pretty shocking finds. For instance, in Carmarthen, police raided a property on a busy street and found 930 cannabis plants worth around £870,000. Can you believe that?
In Newcastle Emlyn, just a few doors down from the police station, they uncovered over 400 plants in an old Co-op store. Talk about hiding in plain sight!
Then there’s Llandysul, where a former school was turned into a £2 million cannabis farm. Police caught two guys with suitcases full of harvested cannabis, leading them back to the school where they found 1,500 plants. That’s some serious operation!
In Neath, police used a helicopter to spot two large farms based on heat signatures. They seized plants worth around £126,000. It’s like something out of a movie!
And let’s not forget about the former building society in Barry, where an engineer stumbled upon a cannabis farm spread across three floors. They found 174 plants and arrested a 23-year-old Albanian guy who had entered the UK illegally.
In Newport, a disused swimming pool was transformed into a cannabis factory with 1,300 plants. The guy working there tried to escape but was caught after a chase. He got eight months in prison.
Even an old pub in Pontypool was turned into a cannabis farm, with over 400 plants found after locals complained about the smell. Two men were arrested there too.
In Cardiff, a house in a nice neighborhood was found to have 674 plants. The guy there had come to the UK for a better life but ended up in a tough spot, owing money to a gang.
Police are urging the community to report any suspicious activity. They’re serious about tackling this issue, as every farm they shut down helps prevent further crime.
It’s a big problem, and it’s not just about cannabis. Organized crime is behind many of these operations, and they’re making a lot of money off our communities. So, if you see something, say something!