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 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| 'Drugs racket' found at old hotel | |
| (10 minutes 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. | |
| Police raided the Dragon Inn Chinese in part of the Jubilee Hotel, in Tylorstown, Rhondda, and uncovered thousands of pounds worth of cannabis. | |
| They seized more than 2,000 plants in the raid on Sunday morning. | They seized more than 2,000 plants in the raid on Sunday morning. |
| Six men have been arrested. Three are of Chinese origin and the others are thought to be Vietnamese. | Six men have been arrested. Three are of Chinese origin and the others are thought to be Vietnamese. |
| 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. | |
| 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. | |
| 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 | |
| "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." | |
| 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. | |
| 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." | |
| 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". | |
| "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. | "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." | "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. | 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 555111 | Anybody with further information can call South Wales Police on 01656 655555 or Crime Stoppers on 0800 555111 |