POLICE smashed a cannabis factory during the second day of a crackdown on drugs.

Officers raided a home in St Margaret’s Avenue, Stanford-le-Hope, and found 215 cannabis plants, as well as a hydroponics set-up, which included heavy duty lighting and an irrigation system designed to help the drugs grow.

Officers arrested a 31-year-old woman from Stanford-le-Hope on suspicion of possessing cannabis and cultivating the Class B drug. She has been bailed.

The arrest was made during a second day of action by police across Basildon and Thurrock.

Three people were arrested in Gay Bowers, Basildon, after police uncovered a massive haul of what is believed to be cocaine buried under a patio. They have since been released on bail.

A 43-year-old woman from Basildon was arrested on suspicion of possessing drugs after a raid on a home in Shortlands, Basildon. She too has since been bailed.

As part of the operation, police set up roadblocks in Basildon and Thurrock to stop criminals travelling in and out of the area to commit burglary and other crime.

In total they stopped more than 190 vehicles – three were seized and 14 motorists were reported to court for traffic offences including having no insurance, driving without a seatbelt and driving while on a mobile phone.

A 21-year-old man from Tilbury was arrested on suspicion of theft in relation to an incident at BP Roundacre, Basildon. He was given a fixed penalty notice.

A 38-year-old woman from Basildon, a 16-year-old boy from East London and a 20-year-old man from Basildon were all arrested on suspicion of criminal damage in Laindon and released on bail.

At a stop check point in Church Road, Laindon, three people were arrested on suspicion of theft and road traffic offences, but were later released without charge.