600 cannabis plants found.

FIREFIGHTERS answering a 999 call found a house filled with 600 illegal cannabis plants.

Members of the public reported smoke coming from a terraced property in Malefant Street, Cathays, Cardiff, on Saturday morning at about 11am. The smoke was caused by overheated electrical power points which were being used to power the plants' hi-tech growing system.

No-one was inside at the time and police officers have launched an investigation into who was using the property.

Chief Inspector Dave Offside said: "This incident highlights the potential danger of cannabis factories where we often find overloaded electrical points, live wires and the electricity supply bypassed by those who set up these illegal drug enterprises, often in residential areas.

"I wish to reassure the community that we work in close partnership with the fire service, landlords and electricity companies in quickly detecting and safely dismantling cannabis factories. I am appealing to the public to keep us supplied with information no matter how insignificant they think it is.

"I cannot stress enough the importance of reporting suspicious behaviour to us."

Chief Inspector Offside said members of the public should be wary of tell-tale signs of a cannabis factory, such as blacked-out windows throughout the house, residents who are hardly ever seen, or visitors and movement at late hours.

He said: "Neighbours might also notice a strong smell near the house or apparently coming from the house."

More than 600 plants were located inside the house and they have all now been removed. It is just the latest of hundreds of cannabis factories that have been uncovered across South Wales. Officers estimate that each plant can be worth up to pounds 1,000 over the course of a year.

Anyone with information or suspicions about a property should contact their nearest police station or call 029 2022 2111.