Cannabis farm found in mansion which once hosted King Charles

A cannabis farm has been discovered in the mansion that once hosted King Charles’ ball.

North Wales Police executed a search warrant at the historic Plas Glynllifon estate near Caernarfon, Gwynedd, on Tuesday and found a cannabis farm with what an inspector described as “a significant amount of growth”.

Supt Arwel Hughes told the BBC: “We uncovered a stash of vegetation on the top floor of the building. We estimate there were about 12 rooms with plants in them, and they were quite mature plants.”

“There is a lot of information to process today, a lot of forensic work to consider, and many other digital topics we are looking at.

“I’m pretty confident we can get to a point where we can make some arrests.

“Obviously, the electricity is being manipulated and abundant water supplies are being diverted inland, and the property itself is in various disrepair.”

According to the website of the country park gardens surrounding the manor house, it was built in the 1830s and is currently Grade I listed.

It describes the house as: “A Grade I-listed building formerly owned by Lord Newborough, where the investment ball of the Prince of Wales, now King Charles III, was once held.”

The investiture gave Charles the title of Prince of Wales and took place at Caernarfon Castle on 1 July 1969. Plas Glynllifon later hosted the corresponding ball.

The website states that the house and its 16-acre garden are privately owned.

In a statement on Tuesday evening, North Wales Police said: “We can confirm that earlier today, Tuesday 7 April, North Wales Police executed a Misuse of Drugs Act order at Plas Glynllifon, near Caernarfon.

“Officers will remain at the scene for a number of days while investigations continue. We ask members of the public to respect the police cordon while officers carry out their work.”