Police discovered a huge two-storey cannabis farm inside a North Tyneside property after a tip-off from residents.
On Saturday, officers from Northumbria Police’s Northern Neighbourhood Support Team searched an address on Bewicke Road in Wallsend and found the substantial farm.
There were more than 300 plants covering the first floor and the loft of the address and had bypassed the electrical system in order to grow the plants using heat lamps.
Enquiries are now ongoing but the leading officer on the investigation says they have prevented any further financial gain from the cannabis farm.
PC Ashleigh Dunwoodie said: "This was a significant discovery with a huge number of plants found in various stages of growth.
“Thankfully, we have now taken swift and robust action to prevent any further financial gain from this criminality.
“These types of operations can have devastating effects on communities, therefore it is crucial that these illegal drugs are found, destroyed and taken off the streets.
“The electric had also been bypassed at the address, which is not only illegal, but can have potentially fatal consequences for the occupants and surrounding neighbours.
“Nobody wants to live near such dangerous and reckless criminal drug operations. I would encourage anyone who believes somebody is using a property for this purpose to contact police.”
Anyone with any concerns relating to drug use or has information they would like to report should contact police via 101 or online on their website via the web chat service or online reporting form.
You can also report anonymously via the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
