Police put paid to pot plantation

POLICE in Velez-Malaga have uncovered and seized 1,399 marihuana crops and arrested four men for endangering public health as well as stealing electricity.

The drugs were found growing in four areas of a house, the largest of which contained 1,143 plants, and were cultivated in a garage which could only be accessed by a secret hole in a kitchen floor and which was illegally connected to the electric grid. 

Police began their investigations in a remote house in La Viñuela, where they found a strong smell of marihuana and the constant noise of machinery.

They noted that the house had electricity despite not having a contract and was occupied by one man.

Police found that another man, the owner of the plants, visited almost daily.

The police found that a second man had been responsible for looking after the plants, and that he was there against his will.

The owner of the plants was among a total of four men arrested, all of whom were Spanish. The main culprit had also been charged with illegal detention, threats and assault on a police officer.