CANNABIS plants with an estimated street value of £250,000 have been seized by police following a raid near Wisbech.

Cambs Times: Wisbech drug raid at Sparrowgate Road where 3,500 plants were discovered.Wisbech drug raid at Sparrowgate Road where 3,500 plants were discovered. (Image: Norfolk Constabulary)

The discovery on Sunday of 3500 plants is one of the largest of its kind in the Fens and followed a tip off by local patrol officers who noticed a strange smell in the air.

Cambs Times: Wisbech drug raid at Sparrowgate Road where 3,500 plants were discovered.Wisbech drug raid at Sparrowgate Road where 3,500 plants were discovered. (Image: Norfolk Constabulary)

Police raided the house in Sparrowgate Road, Walsoken, and discovered a large number of cannabis plants, generators and drug growing equipment.

Supt Carl Edwards said: “This is a major drugs seizure for and a successful result that demonstrates that illegal drug activity will not be tolerated in the community.”

The cannabis farm was discovered in outbuildings around the property with evidence also being seized from the house.

He added: “Although no arrests have been made to date we are pursuing a number of lines of enquiry and will bring these people to justice.”

Officers attended the address after local officers identified a strong smell of cannabis in the air during regular patrols in the area, eventually leading to the property being identified.

Sgt Andy Crown, who led the raid, said: “The quantity of drugs seized reflects the strength of the very distinctive smell noticed by officers on patrol in the area.

“Inside we found a sophisticated cannabis production set-up clearly destined for the streets.

“We urge anyone with information about drug activity within their community to contact police on 101 - people can be reassured we will act on information passed to us.”