A massive cannabis farm was discovered at an industrial estate and proved to be so big it took police two days to dismantle it.
More than 400 plants were found in the Brookfield Drive complex in Fazakerley on Wednesday evening after police executed a warrant.
Initially, officers discovered 144 plants over five rooms together with associated growing equipment on the industrial estate, near the junction with Wareing Road.
But more searching led to a concealed entrance being found and a further 270 plants over another five rooms.
No arrests have been made.
Enquiries are now ongoing to identify those responsible.
Police did not give an estimated value for the cannabis complex, but sources believe it would have made criminals several hundreds of thousands of pounds.
Matt Brown, who leads the Cannabis Dismantling Team for Merseyside Police, said: "We initially recovered a large number of plants from five growing rooms but then when a further search was carried out an entrance concealed by a cupboard was discovered and inside that a further five rooms and 277 plants were recovered.
“The production of cannabis presents massive risks to those unfortunate enough to find themselves living or working close by and can present threats including fire and flooding, along with serious and organised crime.
“We are now making further enquiries to establish the full circumstances. If you have information on this incident, or on the production or supply of drugs in your area, please get in touch with us, or call Crimestoppers with the details so we can take action.”
Police have reminded the public of the key signs of secret cannabis farms including strange smells and sounds, frequent and varied visitors to a property, often at unusual times, gardening equipment being taken into a property, such as plant pots, fertiliser, fans and industrial lighting, windows are sealed and covered or the curtains are permanently closed, heat from an adjoining property and birds gathering on a roof in cold weather.
Anyone with information on suspected cannabis growing in their community can contact @MerPolCC, call 101 or come forward anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
