A cannabis farm found inside a Cowdenbeath flat after a fire was worth around £1 million.
Officers probing the find in the Fife town on September 27 are appealing for information to help trace those responsible.
They say the estimated street value was £1m, following an investigation spanning almost three weeks.
Firefighters were initially called to tackle a blaze at the former G’s convenience store on Cowdenbeath High Street.
The fire quickly spread to flats above as the internal walls had been removed to allow for the “significant and specialist” cannabis cultivation.
Detective Inspector Kieran Marsh of West Fife CID said: “Thankfully, no-one was injured as a result of the fire.
“Officers continue to carry out extensive inquiries into both the fire and the cannabis cultivation discovered within the property.
“I am appealing to anyone who may have any information about this incident to come forward.
“I am also particularly keen to speak to anyone who may have seen people in and around the affected properties in the weeks leading up to the incident.”
‘Strong smell of cannabis’ reported months before fire
Locals told The Courier a “strong smell” of cannabis had been reported to police months before the fire.
Local business owner Tracy Hutton, said: “There has been a strong smell of cannabis here for several months.
“Some days it was stronger than others but it was obvious what it was, everyone could smell it.
“It was reported to police and officers came to search the area but I understand they couldn’t find where the smell was coming from.”
Public appeal
Anyone with information is urged to contact Police Scotland via 101, quoting incident number 0753 of September 27.
Alternatively, people can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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