RIVAL drug gangs are locked in a dangerous war to control lucrative blackmarket cannabis factories across south Essex.

Police suspect a south east Asian man found dead at a sophisticated cannabis factory fell to his death through a skylight while trying to flee rival gang members looting plants.

It was initially belived to be murder after the body was discovered at the unit in Redhills Road, South Woodham Ferrers, last Thursday.

Today we can reveal the extent of raids by rival firms on other gang’s factories, which, in some cases, have led to violence, including shootings and beatings.

Detectives now believe this man was not assaulted, but confirmed bladed objects were recovered from the factory which was protected with metal bars on doors and windows.

A meat cleaver was also found in a nearby car park, according to industrial estate workers.

Detectives believe the man may have been a live-in caretaker disturbed by the other gang as they stole plants from the specially converted units.

Detective Chief Inspector Mark Hall of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate said some of the cannabis plants had been harvested and there were plants on the floor outside the building.

He said: "We have established that there was a break-in at the site and that cannabis was being stolen.

“We are now investigating whether the man who died was living at the site and whether he had gone on to the roof to escape from the criminals during the course of the burglary. We now know that the man was not assaulted and the likelihood is that he fell through a skylight in the roof.”

However, detectives have not ruled out the dead man being an intruder from another outfit.

Police were first called to reports of suspicious activity in Redhills Road last Thursday at 5am, when a number of people in the area fled after they arrived. This is being linked to the death.

Police are also trying to locate who owns and leases or rents the unit.

He added: “It is a significant, well organised, commercial enterprise.

“We also want to hear from any members of the Vietnamese or Thai communities about anyone who may have had concerns about someone visiting this location.

“We also would like to hear from local businesses if they have information about people or vehicles visiting the premises.”

Police have also not ruled out the discovery of further bodies inside the South Woodham factory after they found it difficult to access other parts of the buildings.

They confirmed a number of bladed objects had been recovered from inside the building. A meat cleaver was also found in a nearby car park. Officers were seen scouring roadsides around the industrial estate, with one holding a straw hat.

A post mortem examination showed the man aged in his 30s or 40s died as a result of extensive fracturing of his skull and a broken spine.

He has yet to be formally identified. He was 5ft 7in tall, slim, with short dark hair and a goatee beard. He had uneven discoloured teeth and a distinctive small tooth between his main two front upper teeth.

He was found on his back heavily bleeding in the entrance to the factory last Thursday.

It is not clear how many plants were being grown but they were spread across two floors in two units.

Anyone with information can call the Brentwood Major Crime office on 0300 333 4444.