POLICE discovered cannabis plants worth thousands of pounds when they raided a drugs "factory" at a house in James Street at Rochester.

The cannabis growers had fled the premises. Officers found hundreds of wilting plants as well as lights and other cannabis factory equipment.

After executing the drugs warrant on Monday, police said the operation aimed at targeting the supply and use of drugs in Medway was gathering momentum.

Det Insp John Coull said: "The people running this drugs factory have obviously felt the pressure of the police action. The fact they have abandoned thousands of pounds worth of plants proves that we are drawing ever closer to shutting their operation down.

"I would like to thank residents for continuing to pass on information to us, as together we are making the community a safer place and taking steps to infiltrate the drugs network in Medway."