Cannabis factory raided

This is the haul from one of the biggest ever cannabis factories smashed by police.

More than 6,500 high quality plants were discovered growing in three south London warehouses.

Police believe a well organised criminal gang was behind the operation which was making £1 million a year.

Officers who raided the industrial estate in Malham Road, Forest Hill, said the cannabis seized was a superstrength version of the drug known as skunk. Each room measured 30ft by 60ft and was packed with more than 2,000 plants growing wall to wall.

The sophisticated drugs farm was run with specialised growing equipment worth thousands of pounds, including high-intensity lighting, filters and reservoirs.

The plants were being grown hydroponically which speeds up development by using a soil-less method that carries nutrients direct to the roots.

Officers said the find would seriously disrupt the criminal gang that supplies the drugs throughout London and the Home Counties.

Detective Chief Inspector Simon Cunneen, head of Lewisham CID, said: "The discovery of these factories and the seizure of such a large quantity-of cannabis will undoubtedly have a major impact on the people supplying and selling cannabis. This will be a significant blow to the criminal organisations involved in the production, conservation and distribution."

The plants would have yielded four harvests a year with each kilo of skunk fetching about £3,000.

Despite cannabis being downgraded from a Class B to Class C drug this year anyone caught producing or supplying the drug faces up to 14 years in prison.

Officers are raiding at least one skunk farm a week across London as the potent version of the drug increases in popularity.

Mr Cunneen said: "I hope this sends out a strong warning to others who may be involved in the production or selling of drugs that you will be caught and all the drugs will be seized. It is still illegal and we are determined to close down these factories."

More than 14 officers from Lewisham's pro-active crime team carried out the raids. No arrests have been made and enquiries continue.