A MAN is in custody today after being charged with running a cannabis factory with a potential turnover of �1 million.

A MAN is in custody today after being charged with running a cannabis factory with a potential turnover of �1 million.

Duong Nguyen, of no fixed address, is accused of being concerned in the production of cannabis at a house in Trimley St Mary.

His arrest on Wednesday came on the same day another cannabis factory was also discovered in Ipswich. Police are currently hunting those behind the illegal venture.

Duong, a 30-year-old Vietnamese national, did not enter a plea when he appeared at South East Magistrates' Court yesterday for the first hearing of his case. He spoke through an interpreter to confirm his name and date of birth.

He was remanded in custody until another hearing at the same court on June 26.

During the hearing, prosecutors said specialist officers estimated that the operation at the property in Punchard Way was capable of bringing in �1million a year. The estimated street value of the plants seized ran to more than �600,000, the court heard.

Meanwhile, it emerged today that police discovered a cannabis factory in a house in Cole Ness Road, in Ipswich's Gainsborough estate on Wednesday.

Neighbour Iain Radnor noticed an overflowing outlet pipe at the back of the house and after weeks of dripping he contacted the owner, who rents out the house. When they looked inside, they found that the upstairs area was being used as a base for producing the plant.

He said: “The upstairs was set up like a factory with black plastic bags around the walls. The whole house had a stale smell.

“I am shocked. You do not think of something like that happening in a quiet cul-de-sac. The place had been very quiet for a while and the curtains had been drawn for many months.”

Suffolk police's detective sergeant Darren Bruce said: “The lighting, ventilation and wiring in the house is something we have seen fairly regularly in Ipswich where there has been the production of cannabis.”

Scenes of crime officers have been at the house taking forensic evidence in a bid to find the cultivators.

If you can help police with their enquiries, call the headquarters on 01473 613500 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.