Tip-offs lead police to cannabis factory

Sgt Rob Maile and three officers from Basildon’s community policing team executed a drugs warrant at a property in Britten Avenue, Basildon, at about 4pm on Sunday.

Inside the home, they found that a room had been converted into a cannabis factory - with hydroponic equipment and fans with the plants.

Police have declined to give details on how much the potential yield of the plants is worth. The haul is currently still being analysed by officers.

A 51-year-old man from Basildon was inside the house at the time of the raid and has been reported for cannabis cultivation.

No other arrests have been made.

A file has been passed to the Crown Prosecution Service who will make a decision regarding summons to court in due course.

Sgt Mark Yorke-Wade, from the community policing team, said the discovery was a good result for his officers.

He said: “This was an intelligence-led warrant after we had received information from the public.

“A sergeant and three PCs executed the warrant at an address in Britten Avenue, at about 4pm.

“Twenty cannabis plants were seized.

“We don’t have an exact figure for the yield as it all depends on how big the plants are and the plants themselves.

“A 51-year-old man has been reported for cannabis cultivation. He was not taken into custody at the time and there was nobody else there.”

Mr Yorke-Wade commended the members of the public who alerted the police about their suspicions.

He said: “We really appreciate that the public have come forward with intelligence and reported this crime and helped us take drugs off the streets of Basildon.

“I would urge anyone else to contact us with any intelligence or suspicions that they may have.”

The plants will be seized and destroyed.

Anyone with concerns or suspicions about cannabis cultivation and drug use in Basildon can call Essex Police on 101, or contact crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.