A total of 650 cannabis plants were recovered from a Southend industrial unit.

Officers from the Southend proactive team secured a warrant under the Misuse of Drugs Act to search the premises in Grainger Road Industrial Estate on Saturday 20 April.

A 52-year-old man from Great Baddow was detained for being wanted on recall to prison.

He was also arrested on suspicion of cultivating cannabis, making threats to kill and common assault, and was released under investigation for these matters.

A 25-year-old man from the Brentwood area was arrested on suspicion of cultivating cannabis and released under investigation.

Anyone with information about this cannabis factory, or concerns about drug dealing and production elsewhere, is asked to call Southend Police Station on 101 or report online at www.essex.police.uk/do-it-online

You can also contact the Crimestoppers charity 100% anonymously on 0800 555 111 or use the anonymous online form at Crimestoppers-uk.org