Customs officers have for the first time shut down a cannabis cultivating centre, arresting two men and a woman, aged 29 to 39, in the operation.

Customs Drug Investigation Bureau officers intercepted and searched a man in Tai Po about 12.40pm today, and found half a gram of suspected cannabis in his possession.

Officers then searched his residence at Kam Shan Village and found the cultivating centre which had 39 cannabis plants. About 70 grams of cannabis and 1,000 cannabis seeds, with a value of about $400,000, were also seized.

Planting cannabis is a serious offence. Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, the maximum penalty is a $100,000 fine and 15 years prison.