:quality(70)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/SBVEBEUBEWEH4HSS33EJD6ZDKY.jpg)
Police investigating a blaze at a large shed in the North have discovered hundreds of cannabis plants inside it.
A 48-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of cultivating the drug and a number of other drug-related offences following the fire in Newry.
Firefighters were called to the scene at Derrywilligan Road at about 5.40 pm on Sunday.
Police were also alerted after the outbreak caused substantial damage to the shed.
:quality(70)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/FSZSYFBLJHU3FD3D2POP2G5YCM.jpg)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/X2T6BEUPRIBWDJ5RGUPAT3OYAA.jpg)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/X3O4OI2FWTBIED7PYYMCC7IEYI.jpg)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/AYNIGM4J2YXNVMUGB2SEZZTQ5I.jpg)
They later searched the shed and uncovered what they suspect was a cannabis factory.
Some 800 suspected cannabis plants have been seized.
The suspect remains in custody, a PSNI spokeswoman said on Monday.
“Enquiries into this incident are ongoing and the cause of the fire remains under investigation,” she said.
“We are appealing for anyone with information and who may have witnessed any suspicious activity in the area or have information about this incident to contact detectives.”