[[{“value”:”
Dyfed-Powys Police targeted properties in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, and Powys as part of Operation Mille 3, aimed at disrupting large-scale cannabis production by organised crime networks.
The operation saw six properties raided, seven people arrested, and six charged with cannabis production.
Detective chief inspector Rich Lewis said: “In just one week we have seized and destroyed a significant amount of cannabis, which will in no doubt have disrupted organised criminal activity within Dyfed-Powys and beyond.
“The growth of cannabis on a commercial scale is a problem we have faced over the past year in Dyfed-Powys, but we are taking a robust approach to stamping it out.”
The operation involved various teams, including CID, proactive policing officers, neighbourhood policing and prevention, armed response, dog handlers, and drone pilots.
Mr Lewis added: “While our communities might be under the impression that cannabis on this scale would be grown in large industrial units, or out of town, this week of action has seen us target a number of terraced rental properties in or near town centres, which have been converted to grow hundreds of plants.”
The operation is a continuation of Operation Scotney, which has been running since January 2024.
In that time, warrants have been executed at more than 40 industrial-scale cannabis factories, and more than £12 million of cannabis has been seized.
The week’s action began on Monday, February 17, with a raid on a house on Cambrian Street, Llanelli.
A 26-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of producing cannabis, and 179 plants were seized, with a potential street value of up to £61,600.
The following day, a warrant was executed at a rural property outside Kidwelly, where 194 plants were seized, with an estimated value of up to £264,100, and the homeowner and another man were arrested.
On Friday, February 21, a third warrant was carried out at Mansel Street, Burry Port, where almost 170 cannabis plants were found, with a street value of around £166,000.
A man was arrested.
The final Carmarthenshire warrant was carried out at Gilbert Crescent, Llanelli, where nearly 150 cannabis plants were found, with a potential value of up to £113,000.
Another man was arrested.
Other raids were carried out at properties in Newtown, and a rural property in Llanfihangel-ar-Arth.
In these raids, a man and a woman were arrested.
The most frequent signs of a cannabis factory include condensation on windows, a strong smell, lots of garden rubbish, bright lights, covered windows, frequent power cuts, and people coming and going at odd hours.
Anyone with information or concerns is urged to contact Dyfed-Powys Police or the independent charity Crimestoppers.
“}]] Cannabis plants worth more than £860,000 were seized in a week-long police operation across west Wales. Read More
