Three arrested after drugs farm found in Rotherham

Three men have been arrested in Rotherham, after the car they were driving was stopped by police and found to contain the keys to a nearby cannabis farm.

South Yorkshire Police said the force had initially been contacted by Northern Powergrid on Friday because of "suspicious electrical activity" and signs that someone was "dangerously and illegally bypassing electricity" at an address on Gerard Road in Wellgate.

Officers subsequently searched the Wellgate property and found around 1,000 cannabis plants in 10 rooms.

Later the same day, a suspicious vehicle circling in the area was stopped and searched by police, who found a key to the property inside.

"The vehicle had allegedly been stolen from London and inside the car, officers found a key to the property containing the cannabis cultivation," the force said.

"A quantity of money and equipment consistent with cannabis production was also reportedly found within the vehicle."

Two men, both 34, and a 33-year-old man, were arrested on suspicion of cultivating cannabis and the theft of a motor vehicle, police said.

They have been bailed pending further enquiries.

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