A POLICE raid uncovered £40,000 worth of cannabis in a move which “sends a message to drug dealers that they are not wanted”.

The team found the 40 plants - worth About £1,000 each in street value - at the property in Betoyne Close, Billericay.

Officers say there have been no arrests following the find at the home.

The team also took to social media to post about the discover, at about 2.40pm on Sunday.

Councillors say this is rare for the town but the action by the officers will help to reassure residents.

Andrew Schrader, Tory councillor for Billericay East, said: “As the old saying goes you never know what’s going on behind closed doors.

Echo:

“I do suspect this is fairly rare in Billericay East but I think nowhere is immune to this sort of thing. This is a low crime area and is a safe place to live.

"I think it’s reassuring police made this discovery and hopefully the investigation will lead to arrests and we will see the people behind this brought to justice.

“It’s shocked me as it is very unusual to have this happen in Billericay and you do not expect it, but it would be naive to think it wouldn’t happen in the area.”

Mr Schrader said the raid sends a strong message to criminals looking to target the area that police will find them and take action.

Former Basildon Council leader Phil Turner added: “I think the community will be surprised about this but will be happy police have taken this action and I want to thank them for their efforts.

“I think residents will feel safer that more drugs have been taken off our streets.”

A spokesman for Essex Police said: “We executed a warrant at an address in Betoyne Close, Billericay, at around 2.40pm yesterday, Sunday June 28.

"We found around 40 cannabis plants inside the address and these have been seized.” Call 101.