This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/wales/6523577.stm

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
'Drugs racket' found at old hotel '£1m a year' drugs factory found
(about 7 hours later)
Officers uncovered a "sophisticated drugs making factory" and "drugs racket" at a former hotel following a tip off from a member of the public. A cannabis factory found at a disused hotel in Rhondda could have made up to £1m a year, say South Wales Police.
Police raided the Dragon Inn Chinese in part of the Jubilee Hotel, in Tylorstown, Rhondda, and uncovered thousands of pounds worth of cannabis. The factory was discovered at Tylorstown after officers were tipped off by a member of the public.
They seized more than 2,000 plants in the raid on Sunday morning. The "sophisticated" factory contained 2,300 cannabis plants and it may have been in operation for "some considerable time", officers said.
Six men have been arrested. Three are of Chinese origin and the others are thought to be Vietnamese. Six men, three of Chinese origin and three from Vietnam, were arrested and are in custody at Pontypridd.
Three floors of the former hotel were dedicated to the incubation and production of the drug. The living quarters on the second floor were also uncovered by officers. The head of the police regional task force said around £250,000 of cannabis was being generated at the factory in part of the Jubilee Hotel every 12 weeks, making around £1m a year.
Cannabis plants in varying states of maturity were being grown in seven rooms inside the disused hotel with the help of high intensity lighting, deep compost and an irrigation system rigged up in a bathroom.
Cannabis growing under special lights inside the buildingCannabis growing under special lights inside the building
Detective Inspector Nigel Cottle, from South Wales Police, said 2,300 plants had been found, along with sophisticated systems to light and heat the process, water the plants and give them nutrients. Det Ch Insp Colin Richards, said the cannabis factory was one of around 50 found in the south Wales area in the last year.
"It's probably something which wasn't designed to supply drugs locally," he said. "We're working with colleagues from Kent and Metropolitan police to investigate further leads around the process." He said: "I believe it is the biggest single discovery of cannabis in this area".
Mr Cottle said detectives were also aware of a number of cultivations in the Gwent Police area as well as Vale of Glamorgan and Cardiff. He said there was a "strong, pungent smell" coming from the factory, which had been "overpowering" to people who entered the building.
Det Ch Insp Richards added it was likely one person would have lived in one of the rooms, with the sole job of looking after the cannabis plants.
He also praised the person who tipped off officers, saying: "Without the public we wouldn't have this find.
Estimated yield
"We do rely on the public coming forward and being our eyes and ears on the streets."
The plants were being removed from the site and taken to a forensic science laboratory in Chepstow, where the estimated yield of the plants would be calculated.
Detective Inspector Nigel Cottle, from South Wales Police, said detectives were also aware of a number of cultivations in the Gwent Police area as well as Vale of Glamorgan and Cardiff.
Despite the downgrading of cannabis from a class B to a class C drug, he said: "For us primarily it is and remains an illegal drug and to that end, the cultivation and distribution of it are serious criminal offences."Despite the downgrading of cannabis from a class B to a class C drug, he said: "For us primarily it is and remains an illegal drug and to that end, the cultivation and distribution of it are serious criminal offences."
I am in no doubt that what has been dismantled is an organised drugs racket which intended to flood the area with the potent drug Chief Superintendent Jeff Farrar
In Tylorstown, as well as 1,000 mature and 1,300 juvenile cannabis plants, many tonnes of compost and other plant growth materials were found.
Chief Superintendent Jeff Farrar, Divisional Commander for Merthyr and Rhondda Cynon Taff, described it as "a significant find".Chief Superintendent Jeff Farrar, Divisional Commander for Merthyr and Rhondda Cynon Taff, described it as "a significant find".
"I am in no doubt that what has been dismantled is an organised drugs racket which intended to flood the area with the potent drug," he said."I am in no doubt that what has been dismantled is an organised drugs racket which intended to flood the area with the potent drug," he said.
"This seizure and the arrests are thanks to a member of the public who noticed and more importantly reported suspicious activity in the area.
"It demonstrates the important role the eyes and ears of the public can play in providing intelligence to combat crime."
The six are still in custody after police were granted further detention time by Pontypridd Magistrates Court on Tuesday.
Anybody with further information can call South Wales Police on 01656 655555 or Crime Stoppers on 0800 555111Anybody with further information can call South Wales Police on 01656 655555 or Crime Stoppers on 0800 555111