Former proprietor Howard Jones no longer has any association with the building
Gwent Police have seized a £45,000 haul of cannabis being grown at a disused ironmongers, after a tip-off from the public.
Officers raided the former Howard F Jones shop on Merchant Street, Pontlottyn, on Sunday, March 13.
Four men from Cardiff were arrested on suspicion of producing a class B drug.
A large number of cannabis plants, estimated to have a street value of £45,000, were recovered from the property.
A resident, who did not wished to be named, told Caerphilly Observer: “Everybody knew what was going on in the shop.
“There have been times in the past when you could smell the drugs down on the street, which we reported to the police.”
They added: “The police may have been watching the shop for a while.
“The amount of stuff they were walking out with afterwards was massive. There was a huge load of professional looking equipment.”
The four arrested men, aged 21, 38, 41 and 46, have since been released on police bail pending further enquiries.
Detective Sergeant Michelle Chaplin, of Gwent Police, said: “These arrests are a result of quick action after receiving intelligence from a member of public.
“We are committed to tackling illegal drug activity which can have a negative and far-reaching impact on our local communities.
“I would ask anyone who has concerns or information relating to illegal drug activity in their neighbourhood to report it to police so we can take any necessary action.”
The shop that the drugs were found in no longer belongs to its namesake, after Mr Jones sold the space two years ago and moved away from the area.
The property has most recently been unoccupied and boarded-up.
Councillor Gaynor Oliver, who represents Pontlottyn for Labour, said: “I was surprised to hear the cannabis was found in the well-known store on Merchant Street.
“There was a large crowd of people gathered outside with the police cars, with some saying that they had been able to smell the cannabis from street-level.
“The four men were put into the cars with handcuffs on.
“I’m glad that Pontyllotyn will no longer have to suffer a drugs factory in its midsts, and I’m especially pleased for the sensible citizen who gave the police information.”
Anyone with further information can call Gwent Police on 101 quoting log 378 12/03/16.
Apparently Howard Jones has been quoted to say “No-one is to blame”!