POLICE officers have closed down a cannabis farm and seized hundreds of cannabis plants.

Officers from the Basildon Community Policing Team carried out a drugs warrant in the Basildon borough at 8.30am on Saturday, February 10.

They forced the door to an industrial unit at Nobel Square, Pitsea where they found more than 350 cannabis plants at various stages of growth, as well as hydroponic equipment and lights.

Gazette: Inside the cannabis factory in the Basildon borough after Essex Police raid Inside the cannabis factory in the Basildon borough after Essex Police raid (Image: Essex Police)

Dan McHugh, district commander, said: “Tackling drugs and drug cultivation is a priority for my teams across the south of Essex and our community can be reassured we will always act on any information received.

“We know it’s a concern, but today we’ve stopped over 350 cannabis plants from eventually hitting our streets, causing issues for our residents and businesses through the related anti-social behaviour that drugs bring with them.

“It’s thanks to the public and the information that they give us that we can proactively tackle drug issues.

“I’d encourage anyone who knows who was involved in this or any other cannabis grows to contact us and we will act upon it.”

All the cannabis plants will be destroyed.

Police said no one was present at the location and no arrests have been made yet.