Major cannabis factory found abandoned in Ballyconnell

A major cannabis factory has been discovered over the weekend in Ballyconnell, and gardai believe it is the biggest discovery of its kind in West Cavan. Members of the Cavan Drug Unit along with members from the Ballyconnell Garda Station were called to a Chinese restaurant in the town when the owner became suspicious of the people renting the property. The members found a sophisticated lighting and irrigation system for growing cannabis worth thousands of euros. Over 300 plant pots were also located in the house, but all the plants had been removed during the search on Friday evening last. No one was arrested and it is understood those who had been renting the premises have fled the scene. Gardai believe it had just been established and could have been capable of producing drugs worth "hundreds of thousands" of euros. According to Gardai, the expensive factory appeared to have only recently been set up. It was discovered when the landlord entered the house to check on it and discovered the equipment. He reported the matter to the gardai. A garda spokesman said: "This was the most sophisticated cannabis factory set up that we have seen in this area. If the factory had gone undiscovered, it had the potential to produce thousands of plants and the growers stood to benefit by making hundreds of thousands of pounds from their illegal activity." He added that they knew where those involved in the factory came from. The matter was being investigate by gardai and they are appealing for witness to come forward if they have any information.