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POLICE searching for a missing man uncovered a cannabis factory at a house made of straw.

They seized 24 cannabis plants at the Staunton property, which has been the subject of a high-profile planning wrangle.

The officers, who later found the missing man safe and well, were searching the Newent area on Friday night when they came across the drugs find.

A total of 24 potted cannabis plants were found in a trailer kitted out with lights and a ventilation system in one of the outbuildings.

The straw house is owned by Jim Wallis, who runs the Alternative Building Company, which makes straw structures for a variety of uses, such as homes or extensions.

He has been formally cautioned by police for the possession and cultivation of a class B drug.

His straw house planning row went all the way to the High Court. And a second planning appeal – to allow 52-year-old Mr Wallis to live in the home – was successful last month.

The drugs find came during a major search for 47-year-old Paul Yates, who had been missing from his home in Staunton overnight.

Earlier the same day, amphetamines and more than 10 mature cannabis plants were found in a house in Cinderford after police raided it following information received from the public.

Sgt Simon Clemett said: "We always seek a warrant to search premises when valid concerns are raised in this way and would like to thank the local community because without their information we couldn't have done this.

"I know residents feel very strongly about drugs and that we should deal with them as a priority. In the majority of searches we have held this year we have found drugs or evidence of drugs use, so it is an effective means of detecting drug crime."

Following the Cinderford raid, a 40-year-old man from the town was arrested and charged with cultivation and possession of a class B drug. He was bailed to appear before Gloucester magistrates on August 24.
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