Around 400 cannabis plants were seized from a derelict building on Gateshead High Street.
Police received a report shortly before 6pm on Tuesday that the vacant property had been broken into.
However, when officers arrived at the scene they found a "make-shift cannabis farm" inside the building.
Police have confirmed that the officers seized around 400 plants.
The farm has been dismantled and the plants have now been destroyed.
A Northumbria Police spokesperson said: “Shortly before 6pm yesterday (Tuesday) we received a report of a break-in at a premises on Gateshead High Street.
“During a visit of the vacant property, the owner saw that the fire exit had been boarded over and believed people had broken in.
“They rang 999 and officers were deployed to the premises within minutes where they found a make-shift cannabis farm had been set up inside containing around 400 plants.
“The farm has been dismantled, the plants destroyed and the electricity made safe.
“Enquiries into the farm are ongoing and anyone with any information that may assist police is encouraged to report information through our website, or call 101, quoting log 872 080621.”
