AN investigation is underway after police officers in Barry found two factories cultivating between £168,000 and £500,000 worth of cannabis.

Officers carried out full searches on properties in Gladstone Road and Woodlands Road and between the two searches discovered cannabis farms containing over 500 plants with an estimated value of between £168,000 and £500,000.

Plants and a large amount of hydroponics equipment were recovered.

Yanko Yanklulov, aged 44, from Gladstone Road, Barry has been charged in connection to the find on Gladstone Road and is currently in police custody.

A 27-year-old man from Barry was arrested in connection to the cannabis found at Woodlands Road and is currently on police bail pending further enquiries.

Detective Sergeant Julian Kerslake said: “Following the discovery of these cannabis factories a large amount of illegal drugs were seized ensuring they have been taken out of circulation for good. These cases highlight the fact that cannabis factories can be anywhere.

"We would urge people to be on their guard and to report any suspicious activity in their area to police immediately. Even the smallest amount of information can be useful. This could be as simple as reporting suspicious activity or passing on information in relation to a building that you suspect is being used to grow cannabis."

DS Kerslake added: “It could even be reporting a strange smell coming from a property. Cannabis factories are often found thanks to information provided by the local community."

Following a separate drugs warrant execution at Main Street, Barry in October 2014 Curtis Jones, 25, received five years imprisonment for supplying heroin and cannabis at Cardiff Crown Court.

DS Kerslake remarked: “We are determined to disrupt this type of crime by continuing to target those involved in the supply of drugs and related crimes across Barry. These operations have dealt a blow to those involved in the supply of drugs and we have managed to seize a large amount of cannabis that would have been sold locally."

South Wales Police are appealing to anyone with any information about the discovery on Gladstone Road to contact them on 101. Officers are particularly keen to hear from anyone who may have spotted a dark blue Volkswagen going back and forth on Gladstone Road prior to Monday, January 12.

Information can also be passed on anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.