Police uncover cannabis factory next to Bridgend HQ Published duration 29 November 2014

image copyright Wales news service image caption The drugs were found in the white building to the right of police HQ

Police have uncovered a huge cannabis factory - next to its main custody suite in Bridgend.

The plants were uncovered in a factory unit just yards from South Wales Police's headquarter on Queen's Road on Friday.

The force said three men who had been arrested in connection with the incident were bailed on Saturday.

Neighbours have spoken of their "shock" at how the haul was being grown so close to police HQ.

"No-one had a clue but it could have been going on for a number of years," said car maintenance company worker Hayley Pells, 33.

image copyright Wales news service image caption The large red dot indicates police HQ and the smaller one shows where the drugs were found

image copyright Wales news service

image copyright Wales news service

"For a long time we thought it was empty. We didn't see anybody coming or going for extremely long periods of time. This isn't unusual as lots of the units are used only for storage."

She said: "The police took some notes and asked if we had seen anyone going in and out of the unit.

"They told us they were suspicious about the unit and sent a helicopter over it to scan the temperature but it was no different to any of the others.

"They told us that the plants were growing in insulated boxes which was why nothing showed up on thermal imaging."

Her father Andy Murdock, 63, added: "Our unit is 3,000 sq foot and they had a double unit and a single unit and upstairs as well.

"It's amazing if you think about it and really brave of them to grow it next door to the police.