THREE Gwent Police officers have been commended for their part in uncovering a drugs factory in Rogiet.

PC Mark Waters, CSO Matthew Brustad and PC Michael Crean have overseen the arrest and jail sentence of 35-year-old Philip Harris for his part in the £75,000 business.

The three officers were honoured alongside 42 other Gwent Police officers at a ceremony on Monday evening (2nd December) for their "excellent work and commitment to policing".

Because of their hard work, the suspect was charged on one count of cannabis production and one count of abstraction of electricity, after drugs worth between £40,000 and £75,000 were seized from the premises.

PC Mark Waters and CSO Matthew Brustad received information about the cannabis cultivation at a house in Rogiet.

After making further enquiries a search warrant was granted and the officers discovered that the whole of the upper floor had been converted into a cultivation facility with 98 mature cannabis plants ready for harvesting.

The net weight of just the buds of these plants had an approximate street-value of between £40,000 and £75,000.

The occupier from Llanishen, Cardiff, was arrested and pleaded guilty at Crown Court to cannabis production and abstracting electricity.

Harris was sentenced last week at Newport Crown Court to 18 months in jail for the cultivation of cannabis and six months for extracting electricity. The sentences will run concurrently.

While the officers were dismantling the cultivation facility, a car that was linked to the investigation was seen driving off from the area. The car was stopped in Undy and two people were arrested for possession of cannabis.

Superintendent Brandon Williams, head of Neighbourhood Policing and Partnerships and presenter of the awards, said: "These are just a few examples of the high level of professionalism and commitment that is displayed by Gwent Police officers on a daily basis whilst undertaking their duties.

"It's with a great deal of pride that I have been able to present these awards."