A large cannabis farm discovered on three floors above an operational Powys bank has police officers quietly hoping it could lead to one of the biggest drugs hauls in force history.

Dyfed-Powys Police officers raided the flats above the HSBC branch in Llandrindod Wells at around 10am on Thursday morning (April 4) after acting on information about drugs or drugs supply in the town.

A plethora of mature cannabis plants were discovered in multiple rooms, on three floors, throughout the Middleton Street property.

There was also various equipment associated with cannabis plant growth, such as chemicals and fertilizer, recovered, as well as evidence that people had been living there.

Detective Sergeant Greg Lovatt said that the haul included around 1,200 plants, all of which were at least a metre high. Early estimates suggest the street value of the drugs is more than £1 million.

“A drugs warrant was executed and officers forced entry to the property at around 10am,” said DS Lovatt.

“Two people were arrested and are in custody, and a police investigation is ongoing.

“We’d ask members of the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity in disused buildings around where they live in Powys.

“There have been several buildings around the county where this has happened and we are mindful of buildings not in use.”

County Times: A total of 1,200 plants are believed to have been found, which could be worth more than £1million. A total of 1,200 plants are believed to have been found, which could be worth more than £1million. (Image: Matt Jones)

County Times: Officers stand guard outside Llandrindod's HSBC bank. Officers stand guard outside Llandrindod's HSBC bank. (Image: Matt Jones)

Unlike previous hauls elsewhere in Powys in recent months, such as the former HSBC building in Welshpool, which was sold in May 2022, and the old County Times office, also in Welshpool, the Llandrindod cannabis farm was discovered above a branch of HSBC that remains open.

Staff and customers were still using the branch on Thursday as officers stood guard outside and inspected the drugs upstairs.

A spokesperson for HSBC confirmed the bank had no connection to the flats above the spa town branch.

John Knill, owner of the Knillco home and garden shop a few doors down from the bank, said he and other businessowners in the vicinity had discovered a strong smell of cannabis in recent weeks.

County Times: A cannabis farm discovered on three floors above Llandrindod's HSBC bank has police officers quietly hoping it could lead to one of the biggest drugs hauls in force history. A cannabis farm discovered on three floors above Llandrindod's HSBC bank has police officers quietly hoping it could lead to one of the biggest drugs hauls in force history. (Image: Matt Jones)

County Times: A cannabis farm was discovered on three floors above Llandrindod's HSBC bank. A cannabis farm was discovered on three floors above Llandrindod's HSBC bank. (Image: Matt Jones)

“We’ve known it was there for weeks and weeks, it’s been really strong at times,” Mr Knill said.

“That’s not just a hobby; someone’s growing it for real. When the wind was in the right direction it was so strong. There were a couple of days where you were like ‘wow, that’s serious’.

“It had become a bit of a joke up and down the street among shopkeepers. Officers told us they knew about it, they’d had some intel.

“They must have disturbed it because it’s really strong today.”

READ MORE:

This is the latest crackdown on cannabis farms hidden in empty town centre buildings following raids at the former County Times office and ex-HSBC branch in Welshpool's Broad Street, and at a property on the Buttington Farm Industrial Estate on the outskirts of the town earlier this year.

Two people were also arrested in connection with the growing of cannabis plants at an address in Church Street, Knighton, on January 7.

Asylum seeker Dino Marku, who had only recently entered Britain from Albania, agreed to be a 'gardener' at the former County Times office after he was promised £10,000. He was jailed for 18 months in early March.