A man who allowed members of an organised crime gang to establish a commercial scale cannabis factory at his property in Carmarthenshire has been jailed.

Martin Evans claimed he was unaware of the size of the operation being run from his home when he appeared at Swansea Crown Court, however in renting out a part of his property outside Kidwelly, the 37-year-old was deemed to have been a ‘facilitator’ for the illegal activity.

Nearly 200 plants - worth up to £264,100 - were found when officers carried out a warrant as part of Operation Scotney in February.

While examining Evans’s phone, officers found evidence of his involvement in the cannabis grow, confirming suspicions that he was aware of the illegal activity.

They discovered text messages referring to the police drone, and indicating that the heat and humidity in the grow needed to be increased to speed up the maturing process.Evans was jailed for 18 months, while another man - Fatjon Xafa, who was 'farming' the cannabis at the property - was sentenced to 29 weeks in prison.

Detective Chief Inspector Rich Lewis said: “I am in no doubt that Evans knew exactly what was going on at his home, that he had hoped the rurality of the location would allow them to go undetected, and that he would have let it continue for much longer had we not disrupted the activity.

“I am in no doubt that Evans knew exactly what was going on at his home, that he had hoped the rurality of the location would allow them to go undetected, and that he would have let it continue for much longer had we not disrupted the activity.

“Throughout Operation Scotney we have carried out warrants at dozens of rented homes and buildings, however this is the first time we have come across a landlord who has been so aware that his property was being used by a criminal gang.

“It’s highly unlikely to be the last, and I urge all landlords to carry out regular checks and visits on their properties to ensure their tenants are genuine. These criminals are destroying people’s homes and livelihoods, so if you have any concerns about your own property please report them so we can investigate.”