Landlords are being reminded to regularly check their properties after more than 500 cannabis plants were found in neighbouring properties in Pontypridd.
Officers uncovered the factories in the two rented terraced homes in Treforest yesterday morning after noticing a strong smell of the drug.
Neighbour spoke of their surprise that such enterprises had been set up in the street while the landlady was devastated to discover the damage that had been caused to the houses she had been renting out.
Sergeant Nick Jenkins said: “At around 8.30am on Thursday, August 26 while carrying out enquiries at a house in Queen Street, Treforest, officers noticed a strong smell of cannabis coming from the house next door.
“We contacted the letting agency and landlady of this house in order to gain access. Once we were in we discovered that cannabis was growing in the downstairs rooms and that the three bedrooms had been kitted out to ready to grow plants.
“There was quite considerable damage as the electricity supply had been by-passed and there were holes in the ceilings where cooling tubes had been installed. Needless to say the landlady was devastated that such a thing had been done to her house.”
Realising that this house had been rented out on the same day as another in the same street, by the same group of people, officers then attended a house opposite.
A further 260 plants were found.
It is believed that the people behind these cannabis factories targeted this area which has a high density of student accommodation knowing there would be plenty of empty properties during the university’s summer break.
Inspector Lee Porter, head of Taff Neighbourhood Policing, said: “I would remind landlords to be vigilant to this kind of practice and to regularly check up on properties they rent out, even if they are being rented out through a letting agency.
“”The community can also help by looking out for the tell tale signs of a cannabis factory such as blacked out windows throughout the house, residents who are hardly, if ever, seen or visitors and movement at late hours.
“Neighbours might also notice a strong smell.”
Anyone with information or suspicions about a property should call South Wales Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
