Residents in the Garndiffaith area of Pontypool are said to be shocked and amazed following the discovery of a cannabis factory at a house in the area.
Police officers discovered more than 100 cannabis plants in various stages of maturity in a shed and garage, along with a suspected firearm, during a raid at a property in Stanley Road on Monday afternoon.
It is estimated the plants could have a street value of up to £30,000.
Cllr Gwyneira Clark lives in Stanley Road and said she was absolutely amazed by the discovery.
"This is the reality that these things can go on in a small community like this unnoticed. It has come as a complete shock," she said.
Gwent Police said it was the observations of Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) conducting patrols in the area that prompted the local Neighbourhood Policing Team to execute the drugs warrant.
Police Sergeant Scott Thomas said: "We have uncovered a substantial number of cannabis plants, preventing these drugs being sold within our community. Fortunately this kind of criminal activity is not something we encounter on a day to day basis in our area, however, this positive result shows that we can deal with these incidents quickly and effectively."
Cllr Clark praised the active work carried out by PCSOs in the community.
"I am absolutely delighted, this will certainly send out a clear message to anyone involved in drugs that it won't be long before it's picked up," she added.
Sgt Thomas said he wanted to encourage residents to work with the police and report any unusual activity at properties in their neighbourhood.
"Things to look out for may be windows boarded up, a pungent smell or a large number of callers to an address.
The cultivation of drugs within our communities will certainly not be tolerated and any intelligence received will be taken very seriously."
A 56-year-old local man was arrested for cultivation of cannabis, suspicion of possession of a section one firearm and unlawful possession of component parts of a shotgun.
A 51-year-old local woman was also arrested for being concerned with the cultivation of controlled drugs.
They have both now been released on police bail.
This article first appeared on the Pontypool Free Press site|