4 held in biggest drugs bust so far in Felanitx

FOUR people were arrested in Felanitx in the largest haul of marijuana in Balearics so far this year, police said.

The detainees are from the same family whose marijuana factory was closed down on the outskirts of Palma de Mallorca just days before, investigators say.

Some 400 marijuana plants found spread out in four rooms inside a rural property in Son Mesquida were seized. They have testified at court and were sent to prison.

The marijuana plantation in was found during one of the Guardia Civil patrols of rural areas.

These were stepped up last year following a wave of robberies from farms.

Officers on the patrols noticed that an unusual number of cars travelled on the road in Son Mesquida.

They investigated and discovered that the cars did not belong to any residents in the area and that electric meters in the area had been tampered with.

It is estimated that the detainees have invested around €30,000 on equipment for their plantation.

This included air-conditioning, ventilators, extractor fans, special lights and other utensils used to create a microclimate for the optimal growth of the plants and equipment for the drying and preparing of marijuana for distribution and sale.

This equipment ensured that the growers could enjoy income earned from three harvests a year.

A firearm was also found on the premises.

Investigations are still open and the possibility of more arrests has not been ruled out.