Three men have been charged with production of cannabis and possession with intent to supply after more than 1,000 plants were found during a warehouse raid in Essex.

Detectives went to the site, in Convent Lane, Braintree, at around 2.10pm on Thursday.

They found what they described as a sophisticated cannabis factory - with a number of plants in the “drying out” phase.

Three men were arrested on suspicion of cannabis cultivation after the warrant was carried out.

An Essex Police spokesman confirmed today that officers had charged Erion Isaku, 30, of Progress Way, Wood Green, Dren Zeqiri, 29, of Lissenden Gardens, Kentish Town, and Edlir Ganoshi, 28, of Seaforth Crescent, Islington, with the production of cannabis and possession with intent to supply cannabis.

All of them had been taken to Colchester police station.

Officers had remained on the site to carry out a full search of the building.

On their Facebook page, Essex Police said the unit is expected to be worth more than £10,000.

Police sergeant Tim Scott, who covers the Braintree, Witham, Halstead, Dunmow and Saffron Walden areas, tweeted: “Significant #Cannabis factory located in #Braintree by @CPTBraintUttles #TimeToDismantle #SorryWeFoundYourLittleDen 1 x male arrested.”