Cannabis worth £250,000 seized amid South Wales Police's organised crime crackdown

Cannabis with a potential street value of a quarter of a million pounds have been seized by South Wales police in recent weeks.

They’ve shared the work of their Maesteg neighbourhood team, with all three search warrants in the valley linked to organised criminal groups.

These have led to people being charged by the police, and being remanded in custody.

South Wales Police have issued a plea to the public, as they continue on their crackdown on organised crime in the area.

They say those behind these organised criminal groups earn 'a lot of money off the back of our communities, and they protect their plantations by using violence and intimidation', adding they 'can cause real harm', with their activity going on to fund even further criminality.

The force have revealed, thanks to the information and support provided to them by the local community, the neighbourhood policing team, working alongside specialist departments in the force, have seized over 1,800 cannabis plants in the past 12 months - making 10 arrests from such setups.

As a result of these cases, investigations continue by the police into those people 'further up the chain' of organised crime.

South Wales Police's warning message

The force have issued a warning to the public - to be vigilant and to report any suspected organised criminal activity, amid their crackdown on the issue in our community.

They add that organised criminal groups which are involved in the wholesale production of drugs like cannabis often use rental properties in a bid to shield themselves from their illegal activity, and can also use other people to 'front' what they are doing.

It's reported by the force that these individuals can come across as genuine, often presenting as new to the area, but once they've taken up a rental property, they then disappear without a trace.

Early warning signs to those renting out properties

• A tenant who wishes to pay several months’ rent in cash, in advance, before references and background checks have been made
• The tenant has no apparent source of income, but still presents themselves to rent the property, with the possession of large amounts of cash
• You receive requests to avoid visiting the premises during their tenancy, or when the payment of rent has to be made
• There is a sudden increase in unusual fortification such as dead-bolts or alarms on interior doors

'Tell-Tale' signs of organised criminal activity

South Wales Police have shared some signs which people should look out for which could be linked with the production of cannabis and organised criminal acvitity.

These signs include:

• The property's residents aren't there full-time
• The tampering of electrical wiring
• A sudden jump or fall in electricity bills
• Powerful lights that are on all day or night
• Blacked out windows – usually through the use of black plastic or heavy fabric
• High humidity in the property – which can be most visible when it has snowed
• Large outlets used to take hot air out of the property or bring fresh air in
• Bin bags full of stalks and roots of Cannabis plants in the rubbish bin or garden

The consequences of organised criminal activity

The consequences of organised criminal activity - including the growing of cannabis inside the homes of rental properties - spans wide across the community.

These consequences include:

• The value of properties in the area sees a reduction
• The rental company renting the property receives adverse publicity following the activity, and there could be a loss of rental income
• Costs to repair or refurbish the property after it has been tampered with, with the likelihood of extensive damage
• Increased property insurance premiums
• Increased risk of fire or floods because of the operations around the growing of the drug
• Hostile tenants and neighbours
• Penalties including, asset seizure by police, loss of property use and property damage, from police enforcement
• Increased risk of attracting other criminality to the property or the area

What can be done

Property owners, landlords and letting companies are being urged by the police to revisiting your rented property a few weeks after the agreement has been signed.

Neighbours and the public are the eyes and ears who can report any suspicions.

To report a suspected cannabis production, you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or report directly to South Wales Police via 101, in person or online.

You can learn more about this organised crime here.

In an emergency always call 999.

For information on where to access support in the area, head to DASPA or DAN 247.

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