A CANNABIS grower who operated from the heart of Penarth has been jailed.

Florian Qalliu, 35, from Cardiff, appeared at the city's Crown Court , where he was sentenced to six months in prison for being concerned in the supply of cannabis and one month concurrent for using electricity without authority.

The drugs were discovered in June this year when police raised the former HSBC building on Stanwell Road, where it was revealed a cannabis farm was operating. More than 500 plants were discovered and the cannabis had a street value of £300,000.

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."