POLICE uncovered a sophisticated cannabis farm at a village industrial unit.
A drugs warrant was executed in Fordham on Wednesday.
The Colchester Community Policing Team were joined by the Force Support Unit and cut their way through shutters.
Officers were working on Operation Vocal - the rural crime initiative - and Operation Aidant which has been set up to tackle modern slavery.
A spokesman for Essex Police said: "It is common practice for people who have been trafficked to be used as gardeners in cannabis factories.
"They are often kept in squalid conditions and are not paid.
"On this occasion modern slavery was not an issue however one male was arrested for production of cannabis and possession of drugs believed to be amphetamines.
"Numerous cannabis plants were seized along with the equipment used to grow them."
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