A BUNGALOW in a quiet street in Pitsea has been transformed into a drugs factory.

Police stormed the property in Popes Crescent and seized almost 100 cannabis plants, with an estimated street value of up to £100,000.

It is thought the owner, who moved in about a year ago, was not staying at the bungalowand popped in and out to take care of the plants.

The garage and two rooms were full of cannabis plants and growing equipment, while the remaining room contained a sofa and bed.

Sgt Ben Woollard, from Pitsea police, said: “This is a sophisticated set-up which would have a high street value.

“It took a considerable amount of work to get the cannabis plants to this stage.

“The key to finding places like this lies with the community.

If residents are suspicious about any criminal activity then they should get in touch with Crimestoppers “This proves when we get information we act on it straight away.”

Neighbours said the owner of the bungalow “kept himself to himself” and they rarely saw him. A Popes Crescent resident said: “I’ve never seen anything suspicious, you always think you would know if there was a drugs factory at the end of your road.

“It’s a total shock, this is a really quiet street.

“The man hasn’t been there long and we rarely see him, other neighbours just said he seemed really quiet.

“When we saw the police turn up, we wondered what was going on.”

No arrests have been made and officers are still searching for the owner of the bungalow.

Anyone with information about the drugs is urged to call officers at Pitsea police station on 101, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.