In a shocking twist, a cannabis farm with over 400 plants was found just a stone’s throw away from a police station in Newcastle Emlyn, Wales. The discovery, which occurred on Wednesday evening, has raised eyebrows due to the farm’s proximity to law enforcement.
A Hidden Operation in Plain Sight
Dyfed-Powys Police executed a warrant at a disused Co-op building on Sycamore Street, located just four doors down from the local police station. The raid uncovered approximately 435 cannabis plants, along with a significant amount of growing equipment. While no arrests have been made as of yet, police officers remain on-site as investigations continue.
The operation, which was suspected by locals due to the strong smell of cannabis, highlights the audacity of those behind the illegal cultivation. A local woman, who works in the town, remarked, “I’m not surprised, I’ve been smelling it for at least a month.” The pungent odor had apparently been noticeable for some time, but the illicit activity went undetected until the police raid.
Cannabis Cultivation Hidden in Vacant Premises
According to Dyfed-Powys Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn, the use of large vacant buildings in town centres, like the former Co-op, presents an ideal opportunity for cannabis cultivation. “These buildings are a very lucrative opportunity… for a cannabis cultivation to be produced in that location, sort of hidden in plain sight,” Llywelyn stated.
His comments highlight a growing concern about the increasing use of abandoned or underutilized properties for illegal activities. Despite being in a highly visible location, these types of operations can go unnoticed for extended periods, especially if the building is not in active use or is not frequently monitored by authorities.
The Boldness of Criminal Groups
What makes this particular case even more remarkable is the brazenness of the criminals involved. The cannabis farm was situated just yards away from a police station, yet the operation continued for weeks, possibly months, without being detected. This raises significant questions about the methods used by criminal groups and their ability to operate in areas where they might have assumed they were immune from scrutiny.
Llywelyn’s comments suggest that the proximity to the police station may actually have made the farm harder to detect, as the building would blend in with the daily comings and goings of the area. The case highlights a growing trend where organized crime groups are becoming increasingly bold in their operations, taking advantage of opportunities where they can hide in plain sight.
Ongoing Investigation
As of now, Dyfed-Powys Police have not made any arrests, but they are continuing to investigate the operation. Authorities are likely to pursue leads in the area and gather more information on the individuals behind the illegal farm. This discovery serves as a reminder that cannabis cultivation operations can happen anywhere, even in locations where one might least expect it.
The police are also looking into the larger network that may be involved in running such an operation. Given the scale of the farm and the sophistication of the setup, it’s likely that the operation was part of a more extensive illegal business network.
