Police discovered around 1,700 cannabis plants in a premises in County Durham after carrying out a warrant.
Officers from Durham Constabulary executed a warrant at a premises on Kingsway, in Bishop Auckland, on Friday after receiving intelligence from the community.
Around 1,700 cannabis plants were seized and destroyed and an investigation is now underway to identify those involved.
A spokesperson for Bishop Auckland Police said: "Following intelligence from the community which was further developed by our team, on Friday we executed a warrant at a premises on Kingsway, Bishop Auckland.
"Approximately 1,700 cannabis plants ranging in maturity were seized and destroyed.
"An investigation is under way to identify those involved and the intelligence will be shared with our partner agencies to further strengthen our response to intercepting drugs before they hit our streets.
"'It's harmless' - like all illegal substances, the street dealing profits from this crop would have likely funded organised crime with links to firearms, modern-day slavery and human trafficking.
"If you have any information you’d like to pass to us, you can do so anonymously via 101 or online via Crimestoppers. We will always investigate and develop intelligence provided to us."
Durham Constabulary confirmed that enquiries into this incident are ongoing.
