Barry bingo hall cannabis farm is uncovered by police

Police said a "substantial cannabis factory" was found in Barry after concerns about electricity supply were raised

Cannabis plants with an estimated street value of £3m have been seized from a former bingo hall.

South Wales Police officers found about 3,000 cannabis plants growing in 20 different rooms of the building on Broad Street in Barry, Vale of Glamorgan.

They were called on 13 March after National Grid officials raised concerns about energy supply.

No arrests have been made and police said the investigation was ongoing.

There was nobody in the building when officers arrived, but they found kitchen facilities, food and clothing suggesting that people had been staying there.

They also found thousands of pounds worth of equipment, including lighting, fans and fertiliser.

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"Many people think it is 'just a bit of cannabis' but any production of drugs is linked to hidden harm," said PC Beth Harrison.

The cannabis factory was one of the largest found in Barry in recent years, police said

"These large operations are often run by organised crime gangs, who are likely to engage in very serious violence.

"The electrical requirements to grow this many plants are also really dangerous and can be a huge fire risk, putting neighbouring properties, and lives, in danger."

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