POLICE discovered £80,000 of cannabis plants during a drugs raid in Laindon.

Plain-clothed police officers smashed down the front door of the house in Somercotes following a tip-off.

They found two rooms had been converted in to a drugs den containing about 100 plants.

There was powerful lighting and a watering system to help the cannabis grow. Officers also discovered a small amount of amphetamine.

Dealers had bypassed the home’s electricity meter and siphoned off about £2,700 of illegal electricity.

The meter was made safe by the authorities, but the home was left without power.

All equipment and drugs paraphernalia was removed from the house and destroyed.

The housing company has been informed of damage to the property caused by the set up.

Sgt Ben Woollard, who led the team which carried out the raid, said: “Information from the community led police to the address. The public are urged to call Crimestoppers or 101 to report suspected criminal activity.”

A 34-year old woman from Basildon and a 34 year old man from Brentwood have been arrested on suspicion of producing cannabis and extracting electricity.

They have been bailed until April 10.