POLICE have foiled what could have been one of the biggest cannabis factories in Gwent.

Around £2 million worth of cannabis could have ended up on the streets of Newport had police not uncovered the large cannabis factory which was in the process of being expanded.

Police discovered 595 mature cannabis plants and 405 seedlings covering one floor of a unit on Herbert Road Industrial Estate, Maindee.

The plants would be worth an estimated £500,000 if they were harvested and sold on the streets.

The other floor of the building was in the process of being prepared for cannabis cultivation with hydroponics and lighting equipment installed.

Police raided the unit at 5.15pm on Monday, after acting on intelligence and said the factory was “potentially massive”.

A wall had also been knocked through into an adjacent industrial unit which had been left vacant and both floors of that building had been prepared for growing cannabis.

Police said one harvest from all four potential growing spaces could have been sold for £2 million on the streets.

Electricians found the electricity meter in the unit had been bypassed to power thousands of pounds worth of hydroponics and lighting equipment.

Three men of south-east Asian origin were arrested at the scene and are being questioned by police.

Pc Phil Taylor, of Maindee Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “This cannabis factory was potentially massive.

“Officers have agreed that if it had been allowed to reach its full potential it would have been one of the biggest ever found in Gwent.”

Anyone who suspects any drug activity happening in their area is asked to call Gwent Police on 01633 838111 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.