Cops find £1m mbanje plants growing inside former nightclub

An estimated £1 million worth of cannabis has been found growing on three floors inside a former nightclub. When police raided the old Apollo nightclub building in Porth, Wales, they discovered more than 1,000 cannabis plants. The three-storey building had only been empty for around three months

Two men, believed to be foreign nationals, have been arrested on suspicion of cultivating cannabis. The bar areas and dance floors inside the building were found to be vast growing spaces converted solely for the use of cannabis production

The first floor was used as a nursery for newly potted plants, and the ground and second floor was being used for plants at mid to late stages of growth.

Mature plants discovered on the top floor were ready for harvest, and officers said within a matter of weeks, or even days, they would have been ready to sell.

Rhondda Sergeant Chris Peters said: “This was a massive and timely find.
“It is one of the biggest, most sophisticated operations I have come across to date, which was capable of generating drugs worth millions over a 12 month period.

“It looks like we got here just in time, as many plants were ready for harvest and would have been changing hands on the streets in no time.

“The building has only been redundant for around three months which is enough time for one yield. But the fruits of this organised crime group’s labour, has been seized by us, so they have taken a big hit.”

The “sophisticated operation” involved the electricity meter being bypassed, and 200, 600 watt light bulbs and extractor fans being used.
The amount of energy to power this would also power three streets of terraced houses.

It is suspected the growers kept chickens in what used to be the public toilets, which were covered with what looked like chicken faeces.
Officers suspect chickens were being reared and slaughtered for food in the small space.

Sergeant Peters added: “Today we have won a battle but the war on drugs goes on. Once again, ordinary members of the public have proven to be our biggest weapon in the fight against drugs. Today’s success highlights the good relationship our PCSO’s have with members of the Porth community. “