Police forces across Welsh counties shut down cannabis farms. They recovered millions in drugs and dismantled operations.
Cops raided old schools, empty shops, and even a former newspaper office. Dyfed-Powys Police seriously disrupted cannabis farms. They shut down 37 large farms in a year, leading to thirty-five arrests.
Operation Scotney drove these police actions in response to the increase in cannabis factories. Organized crime groups are setting up these farms, prompting police intelligence teams to gather information and act on their findings constantly.
Scotney is the force’s biggest drugs operation, resulting in the seizure and destruction of £12 million in cannabis. Police also got rid of tons of heating and lighting equipment that powered the cannabis farms.
Detective Chief Inspector Lewis talked about the operation, noting many large cannabis farms popped up across the region unexpectedly. Each warrant led to thousands of plants seized, which seemed very unusual to the police force.
Police quickly realized the farms were linked. Organized crime groups recruited people from outside of the area, seeking to avoid detection in rural towns.
The factories were large, with lots of cannabis. Therefore, police took strong action when Operation Scotney started in early 2024 to shut the farms down fast.
The Criminal Investigation Department leads Scotney. Detectives, experts, and officers work together to locate where the factories are being set up. Then, cops disrupt them before cultivation.
Dyfed-Powys Police searched an old school in Llandysul on November 15, 2024, after people reported suspicious activity there to the police.
Police have executed 37 warrants total now, discovering tens of thousands of plants. Cops arrested and charged 35 people in a year, with twenty-nine receiving jail terms so far.
DCI Lewis said the farms are not hidden. Criminals did not choose remote locations but boldly set up operations in public areas.
Lewis described the criminals’ brazen approach. Police found vast amounts of cannabis in shocking locations, including old schools, empty shops, and newspaper offices often near town centers.
Criminals disguised themselves as workers or landlords. They entered and left buildings without notice. Criminals hid in plain sight to operate covertly.
They wore high visibility vests and carried boxes. This made people less suspicious of them. Who suspects cannabis in broad daylight?