Mass production of cannabis plants

AN INVESTIGATION is continuing today after hundreds of cannabis plants were found when police raided a factory as part of a major operation to target drug users and suppliers.

Officers raided an industrial unit in Framlingham shortly after 9am yesterday after receiving a tip-off it was being used for the mass production of illegal drugs.

They discovered "several hundred" cannabis plants inside the building and equipment for growing the drug, a spokesman for Suffolk police confirmed.

Experts said last night a good-quality, good-sized cannabis plant would be worth in the region of £300 and predicted the factory's contents could have been worth up to £100,000.

Several hours after the raid officers arrested a man in connection with the investigation, who is thought to be aged in his late 30s, at an address in Framlingham .

They also later arrested a second man, who is aged in his early 30s. They both were being questioned at Lowestoft Police Station last night.

The town's residents watched yesterday as police cars arrived at the industrial estate, which is situated off Station Road, and officers raided the premises.

Several people described a major operation unfolding across Framlingham in the run-up to the arrests.

Police said information was gathered from various sources before they launched the morning raid, part of the force's ongoing war against drugs.

The force spokesman said Suffolk Constabulary was currently running an anti-drug campaign called Crackdown.

He added: "Its purpose is to actively target those who are suspected of using and supplying drugs and to cut the supply of drugs to communities, while working with other agencies to educate people about the dangers of drugs misuse."

The campaign was first launched in 1996 and thousands of arrests have been made since as part of the continuing effort to stop the flow of illegal drugs in the county.

People can give confidential information about drug use on the free Crackdown hotline on 0800 253253.