The men, aged 43 and 45 were arrested and later charged following the discovery of the “industrial scale” farm in a property on Commercial Road, South Shields on January 6.
Multiple units including police dogs and armed officers swooped on the property and accessed it by using a chainsaw.
The farm found by police. (Image: NORTHUMBRIA POLICE) More than 2,000 plants were seized during the warrant following reports of “suspicious activity” – with its estimated worth being £2m.
Officers will remain at the address over the coming days – where the electricity had been bypassed – to carry out enquiries and safely dismantle the farm.
Police accessing the property. (Image: NORTHUMBRIA POLICE) Police dog at the scene. (Image: NORTHUMBRIA POLICE) The two men were scheduled to appear before magistrates in South Tyneside today (January 7).
Speaking after the find, Chief Inspector Phil Baker of Northumbria Police, said: “There is absolutely no place for this type of criminality in our region.
Electricity in the farm. (Image: NORTHUMBRIA POLICE) Police in the property. (Image: NORTHUMBRIA POLICE)
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“It goes without saying that farms of this scale can have a significant negative ripple effect on the surrounding communities, with large-scale operations often linked to serious and organised crime.
“Nobody wants this type of illicit activity on their doorstep – and we would urge people to continue to report anything suspicious in their area so we can take swift action.
“I’d like to thank those involved in the investigation so far for playing a part in putting a stop to a harmful operation such as this and crackdown on drug supply.”