Over 2,000 cannabis plants have been uncovered at a commercial unit in Juliet Way, Aveley.
Officers were called by an electricity company, who uncovered the drugs factory whilst executing their own warrant at around 1.15pm yesterday, July 26. When officers arrived, they stumbled on seven built-for purpose rooms in a large commercial unit. There was also living quarters, suspected to have been used by the people tending to the crop.
A full lighting and extractor set up was found in all the seven rooms, which housed infant, mature and ready to crop cannabis plants. Three of the large rooms were full of plants ready to be harvested.
A number of suspects fled the scene before police arrived, and currently no one has been arrested.
Dc Jenna Potter, from the South Ockendon Serious Crime Team, said: “This is possibly one of the biggest cannabis factories ever uncovered in the Thurrock district, and the street value of the plants runs well over tens of thousands of pounds. I am very pleased that we have seized these plants, and they will no longer be hitting the streets of Essex.
“We want to speak to anyone that may know anything about the people that have been living here, as they could hold information vital to our investigation.”
Anyone with any information is asked to contact Dc Jenna Potter at the South Ockendon Serious Crime Team on 0300 333 4444 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
