BAGS of suspected cannabis plants were found dumped at the side of a main road between Dedham and Manningtree.
A dad passed the heap of bags in Manningtree Road during his school run last Wednesday and stopped to inspect the bags on his way home.
Arin Andrews noted a strong smell of cannabis coming from the bags and immediately contacted the police.
Officers from the community policing team attended the scene and confirmed they “located what appeared to be potential remnants of cannabis plants”.
The police didn’t identify any opportunities for forensic examinations and no one has been arrested.
The police then worked with Colchester Council to remove and clear up the discarded bags on the side of the road.
One resident, who lives nearby believes the bags were most likely from a site situated locally.
Mr Andrews, said: “I passed the bags doing a school run early on Wednesday morning and immediately recognised what it was.
“On my way back, I stopped to photograph and confirm.
“There was a strong smell of cannabis coming from some of the bags.
“The bags contained mostly discarded pots and soil, some vegetation and some plastic items. Possibly water pumps.
“I took photographs and forwarded to the police. Colchester team came out that morning to investigate and to see if there were any forensic opportunities.
“The council collected the bags and they had been removed within a day. It was a great joint partnership working between police and council.
“I also put it on the local Facebook site, Dedham Vale Voice, to make locals aware of what a cannabis grow looks like once it’s been dismantled.
“This was probably a local grow.”
A spokesman for Essex Police said: “We were called to Manningtree Road in Manningtree at around 9.30am on Wednesday, 14 February following reports of suspected cannabis plants being located.
“Due to the condition they were found in, no forensic opportunities were identified.
“Essex Police liaised with the local council to remove the plants from the road.”
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