CANNABIS plants with a street value of £1million have been seized during a raid on an industrial estate.

Detectives are hunting the gang of cannabis farmers after discovering the drugs at the Rawreth Industrial Estate, Rawreth Lane.

The unit was raided on Friday morning.

A spokesman for Essex Police estimated as many as a thousand plants were seized.

The crop was near to completion and close to distribution on the streets meaning the raid has cost the criminal organisation dearly.

The professional operation included hydroponic systems which involve the extraction of electricity and lamps and extractor fans to speed up the growing process and the amount of cannabis available.

When the unit was raided by police on Friday, there were no people there it was empty.

As of yesterday afternoon the drug gang was still at large but the drugs have been seized.

A spokesman for the Castle Point and Rochford community policing team said: “A great result from a drugs warrant executed by Operation Falcon and the operational support group at a yard on the Rawreth Industrial Estate.

“Approximately 1,000 cannabis plants have been seized.

“At this time we have suspects outstanding.

“Our crime scene investigators have been working tirelessly to ensure we gather all the evidence and all the units have now been cleared of the cannabis plants.

“A full investigation has commenced to hunt down suspects.”

Anyone with information is asked to call Essex Police on 101.

Alternatively call crimefighting charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.