A large-scale cannabis growing operation with an estimated street value of £100,000 has been found by police on a Carmarthenshire farm.

More than 100 cannabis plants were discovered in two polytunnels on the farm between Pontarddulais and Tycroes.

It is an offence to grow cannabis from seed without a Home Office-issued industrial hemp licence.

Officers from Dyfed-Powys Police were at the farm providing support to partner agencies on an unrelated matter on September 15 when they made the discovery.

The plants were growing inside two polytunnels.

Sergeant Gemma Davies said the plants were at various stages of growth.

“While our officers were not at the farm in relation to concerns over cannabis, this discovery demonstrates the vigilance shown in their surroundings, which resulted in the disruption of a large cultivation,’’ she said.

The cultivation was dismantled and the plants seized for destruction.

A 32-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of producing a controlled Class B drug.

He has been released under investigation pending further enquiries.