**Major Police Operation at Welsh Industrial Estate Reveals Cannabis Farm and Alleged Kidnapping Plot**
A routine response to reports of an ongoing burglary has led South Wales Police to unearth a significant suspected cannabis growing operation, as well as a series of alleged serious offences, including attempted kidnapping. The dramatic events unfolded late on Tuesday night, stirring considerable concern among local residents and prompting a major investigation.
Officers were dispatched to the Hirwaun Industrial Estate, situated in the Cynon Valley near Aberdare, shortly after 11:20pm on 3 June. Callers had reported a burglary in progress at a seemingly vacant commercial unit. Upon their arrival, multiple individuals were found inside, and the scene swiftly escalated into a complex operation that resulted in a total of 11 arrests.
The individuals detained at the site hail from both Wales and England – eight from the local Aberdare area and surrounding villages, and three from locations in Lancashire and Merseyside. Arrests were made on various charges, including cultivating cannabis, aggravated burglary, affray, and attempted kidnap. Police have since confirmed that the industrial unit had been adapted into what appeared to be a large-scale cannabis farm.
Among those arrested, authorities detained a 45-year-old man from Aberaman, Aberdare on suspicion of cultivating cannabis, a Class B controlled substance. Two men from Lancashire, aged 25 and 37, were both held on suspicion of aggravated burglary and remain in police custody while inquiries continue. Another, a 52-year-old from Kirby, Knowsley, was apprehended on suspicion of attempted kidnapping.
The remaining detainees, aged between 21 and 40 and mostly from Aberdare and surrounding communities, were arrested on suspicion of affray – a charge often applied in cases involving group disorder or violence. South Wales Police have reported that eight of these men have been released on bail until 5 September, pending ongoing investigations, while the three men facing the more serious allegations remain in custody.
A spokesperson for South Wales Police commented on the operation: “South Wales Police was called just after 11.20pm on Tuesday 3 June to an ongoing burglary at the Hirwaun Industrial Estate. Officers discovered multiple individuals at the scene and, upon searching the premises, located evidence of substantial cannabis cultivation. Officers arrested 11 men in connection with the incident. Our investigation continues, with support from various specialist units.”
The discovery of such a sophisticated cannabis setup in a disused unit highlights the continuing challenge police face in tackling illegal drug operations within industrial and rural areas of Wales. It is a reminder of the adaptability of organised criminal groups and the potential for these activities to be linked with more violent and serious criminal acts, such as kidnapping and aggravated burglary.
Local communities in the Hirwaun and Aberdare areas have expressed concern following the news, with some calling for increased surveillance and better lighting in industrial zones to prevent future incidents. The case also underscores the importance of public vigilance, as it was prompt reports from eyewitnesses that enabled police to intervene before the situation escalated further.
South Wales Police are appealing for anyone with information related to the incident, or other suspicious activities in the area, to come forward. Officers have emphasised the importance of community cooperation as their inquiries progress. In the meantime, residents are reassured that increased patrols are being conducted in the vicinity of the industrial estate.
As investigations continue, all suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty. South Wales Police have indicated that further arrests or charges could follow as more details emerge, and forensic and digital evidence is analysed.
This incident serves as both a testament to effective police response and a stark warning about the range of criminal activities taking place in Wales and across the UK. It is expected that this case will continue to develop, with updates anticipated in the coming weeks as authorities complete their investigation.