MORE than a thousand cannabis plants have now been seized at a Great Yarmouth hotel, police have confirmed. Yesterday yarmouthmercury24 revealed that police had found 500 plants after executing a search warrant at the Waverley Hotel, at Princes Road, on Wednesday afternoon.

MORE than a thousand cannabis plants have now been seized at a Great Yarmouth hotel, police have confirmed.

Yesterday yarmouthmercury24 revealed that police had found 500 plants after executing a search warrant at the Waverley Hotel, at Princes Road, on Wednesday afternoon.

An entire wing of the hotel had been transformed into a sophisticated drugs factory with high-voltage heat lamps powered by illegally diverted electricity.

Officers had been prevented from entering the hotel until electrical wiring was made safe and consequently only a rough count of the plants had been made. After a closer inspection officer found more than 1,000 plants.

Forensic officers are currently at the scene and Sgt Tony Blackman, who is leading the investigation, said police had acted on information from the public.

He said: “Tackling criminal activity and anti-social behaviour in Princes Road was one of the priorities set for the safer neighbourhood team at a recent public meeting, and this find shows the success of this method of working.”

He said concerns of local people had been raised by suspicious comings and goings at the hotel that was closed for refurbishment.

It was unclear how long the operation had been running, but apart from the growing plants there was evidence of cannabis having been recently cultivated and cropped.

The latest discovery comes after a cannabis factory was found last month in the empty premises of a former scaffolding business in Yarmouth's Southtown district.

Sgt Blackman said there had so far been no arrests. Inquiries were continuing to contact the owners of the hotel.

Information to Sgt Blackman at Yarmouth police station on 0845 4564567 or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 5551112.