MORE than £115,000 worth of drugs have been taken off the streets following a week of raids.

Officers carried out warrants at four cannabis farms where they discovered 215 plants as well as growing equipment.

The raids were part of Cannabis Focus Week, an initiative by the Association of Chief Police Officers.

Police are searching for the owners of a property in Grimston Road, Basildon, where 30 plants were found.

Growing lights in the farmwere powered by illegally extracted electricity, but officers are still working out howmuch was used.

The owners of a bungalow in Popes Crescent, Pitsea, where 138 plants were crammed into a garage and two rooms, are also still on the loose.

Two men are currently on bail after being arrested on suspicion of a series of drugs charges following unconnected raids in Tenterfields, Pitsea, and Mapledene Avenue, Hullbridge.

Twenty cannabis plants were found in the Pitsea property and 27 in the Hullbridge property.

Electricity costing the region of £1,800 was believed to have been taken.

Sgt Ben Woollard, based at Pitsea Police Station, said: “The key to finding cannabis factories like these lies with the community.

“If residents are suspicious about any criminal activity then they should get in touch with Crimestoppers.

“Things to look out for are people coming and going at all hours or the property being very quiet with no sign of the occupants.

“There could also of course be a strong smell of cannabis, which is pungent and sickly sweet, and windows that are constantly covered or blocked out with foil or blackout blinds.”

Neighbours are also asked to look out for misted up windows, light and water used to grow cannabis, and the continuous buzz of ventilation equipment. Anyone with information should call officers on 101, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.