Penarth high street bank drug farm man is sentenced

Florian Qalliu, 35, from Cardiff, was found to have grown £300,000 worth of cannabis, with 600 plants seized from the former HSBC building on Stanwell Road.

In a town council meeting, police revealed the pong of the drugs operation, as well as the unprofessional wiring of the building gave away the criminal activities going on in the former high street bank.

Via an interpreter, Qalliu was sentenced at Cardiff Crown Court on Thursday, August 1, where he received six months in prison for being concerned in the supply of cannabis and one month concurrent for using electricity without authority.

Florian Qalliu was sentenced (Image: SWP)

Cannabis farm operating in the centre of Penarth

On June 20, there was a large police presence in the centre of town outside the former HSBC building on Stanwell Road.

Stanwell Road is a picturesque street with stunning Victorian buildings and established independent businesses.

However, lurking, amongst those innocent businesses was a major drugs operation.

Several police vans and National Grid staff remained at the old HSBC building for several hours to make it safe.

At the time, South Wales Police said: "Officers attended the former HSBC building on Herbert Terrace at around 1.30pm on Thursday, June 20, following reports from the community of a strong smell of cannabis.

"They discovered around 500 cannabis plants, a temporary kitchen, bedroom, and laundry room.

"Plant feed and other growing materials were found in the corridors, and a man was arrested.

"The cannabis has been seized and the property has been made safe.”

£300,000 of cannabis was found, police say (Image: SWP)

A cannabis farm was found in the town in June (Image: Newsquest)

At a town council meeting held on Thursday July 18, officers gave a little more insight into how they busted the drug operation running in the centre of ‘perfect Penarth’.

“The frequency of the smell is very distinct and that smell permeating over prolonged periods of time makes it more suspect,” said the officer representing South Wales Police at the latest Penarth Town Council.

“That with the wiring they used, they basically got an extension lead going straight into the building. It did not look very professional.”

South Wales Police revealed £300,000 worth of cannabis and 600 plants were seized.