Essex Police find 1,100 cannabis plants in Chigwell barn

Police bodycam footage showed more than 1,100 cannabis plants growing in a barn.

Officers made the discovery during a search of multiple buildings in Gravel Lane, Chigwell, Essex on Friday morning.

A spokesperson described it as a “substantial and well-organised cannabis factory” growing the drug on “an industrial scale”.

Five men were arrested at the address and two have since been charged on suspicion of producing a Class B drug.

Sgt Neil Ross said: “Large‑scale cannabis production like this is not a victimless crime. These operations are often linked to organised criminal networks that exploit vulnerable people and fuel wider violence and harm within our communities.”