Officers from Essex Police executed a drugs warrant in Witham earlier this week and seized more than 1,700 cannabis plants.

A spokesperson for Essex Police said: “Acting on concerns from the public, officers from the Braintree and Uttlesford Community Policing Team executed a warrant at a unit in Perry Road, Witham on June 5.

“The team found a sophisticated cannabis cultivation and seized a total of 1,707 cannabis plants believed to have a value of more than £500,000.”

Equipment used as part of the cannabis cultivation was also seized and is estimated to have cost more than £70,000.

The cannabis plants and all paraphernalia used to grow the drugs will be destroyed.

Enquiries are ongoing in this investigation.

Anyone with concerns about drug dealing in Witham is asked to contact the Braintree and Uttlesford Community Policing Team through 101 or by reporting it on the Essex Police Website.

Alternatively, you can make an anonymous report through Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 orwww.crimestoppers-uk.org.