MORE than 400 cannabis plants with an estimated street value of around £70,000 were seized in Newport by Gwent Police following a tip-off from members of the public.

The cannabis factory, described by officers as large scale, was uncovered at a house on Cardiff Road, Maesglas, at 1.30am yesterday.

The house was full of mature cannabis plants that were almost ready for harvesting.

Police focused on the house following calls reporting suspicious behaviour around the property.

Two ground floor rooms and two upstairs bedrooms were filled with more than 400 cannabis plants.

The electricity supply at the property had been bypassed to power thousands of pounds worth of hydroponics, lighting and venting equipment used to create the ideal environment for plant growth.

One man, described as being of south east Asian origin, was arrested at the scene.

He was detained while officers conduct further investigations.

Sergeant Martyn Smith, of Newport central neighbourhood policing team, said the calls by members of the public had enabled police to get to the house quickly and disrupt what he called "a major cannabis factory."

"It was apparent that the crop was very near to full maturity and was due to be harvested in the next couple of weeks," he said.

"We are delighted to have prevented these drugs from getting onto the streets where they can cause damage to people's lives.

"This discovery sends out a message that drug production will not be tolerated and if members of the public give us information, as they have done in this case, we will act upon it quickly and with discretion."

Gwent Police urge people to contact them if they suspect drug activity is happening in their area.

Anyone with information should call Gwent Police on 01633 838111, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.