HUNDREDS of cannabis plants and 30 bags full of dried cannabis leaves have been discovered in a raid on a former restaurant in Monmouth's high street.

A team of police officers, dressed in protective clothing, stormed the premises of C B Jo in Monmouth on Sunday at 5pm.

The police made the discovery of the plants at various stages of cultivation throughout the building, complete with hydroponics equipment, after executing a drugs warrant.

Witnesses to the raid on the restaurant, which has not traded for over a year since changing owners and its name from China Boy Jo in the town's Monnow Street, saw officers cordoning off the pavement around the restaurant's high street frontage and the rear access fire escape stairs, which are shared with a funeral director and lead to the building's living quarters,

Plants were discovered in what was the original pub's cellar, the restaurant dining area, kitchen area, the living quarters above and in the roof space.

Police say the raid was carried out as a result of 'community intelligence and proactive policing'. Neighbourhood Police Officers took action and carried out the warrant. No arrests have been made so far.

Detective Inspector Simon Thomas said: "By finding this cannabis factory, we are removing drugs from our neighbourhoods, and making it even safer.

"We would like to pass on our thanks to the local community for providing us with this information as without their help, this may not have been possible. We would like to encourage the public to report any suspicious activity in their neighbourhood. Information received from the public is always treated seriously and confidentially and we will always take positive action on the information supplied."

The police maintained a presence at the location throughout Monday and Tuesday this week.

•In 2006 cannabis with a street value of £315,000 was discovered in a barn at Mitchel Troy on the outskirts of Monmouth.