POLICE have arrested three people in connection with growing hundreds of cannabis plants.

Officers executed three warrants at homes in Conifer Close and Hawthorn Avenue, in Colchester, and Claremont Road, in Wivenhoe, yesterday .

They seized hundreds of cannabis plants and equipment associated with growing the plants.

Haki Brija, 27, of Hawthorn Avenue, Colchester, and Roland Shuti, 28, of Conifer Close, Colchester, have since been charged with producing cannabis.

They have been remanded to appear at Southend Magistrates’ Court tomorrow.

A 27-year-old man arrested on suspicion of producing cannabis has been released under investigation.

Sergeant Rob Temme, of Colchester's Community Policing Team, said: “Following concerns about drug activity in the district, we have executed five warrants in five days with seven people arrested.

“Three of those individuals have been charged and are due in court and the other four are assisting us with our investigations.

“I’d like to thank the community for their vigilance and their information.

“We’ve acted upon this by attending numerous addresses and seizing a large amount of drugs and equipment.”

On April 21, police executed a warrant at and address in Victoria Mews and arrested two men, aged 21 and 24, and a woman, 21, on suspicion of possession with intent to supply drugs.

They all remain under investigation.

Following a warrant at an address in Stanway on April 22 officers charged Elvis Dalipaj, 23, of Tollgate Drive, Stanway, with being concerned in the production of cannabis.

He is due to appear at Chelmsford Crown Court on Wednesday, May 20.