POLICE in Medway seized more than 700 cannabis plants in various stages of growth when they swooped on a house in South Avenue, Rainham.

The plants have an estimated street value of around £175,000, making it the biggest discovery of its kind in Medway area to date.

The total amount of drugs seized in Medway since October now stands at around £1.7 million.

Det Insp John Coull said: "This is by far the most significant find of our ongoing operation so far and it is encouraging that we have succeeded in taking a large amount of cannabis off the streets.

"We are not going to give up the fight against drugs in the Medway area and will continue to close these illegal and dangerous factories down.

"We are working within the community to make people safer and put a stop to those who profit from growing cannabis. I would like local people to help us by reporting any suspicions they may have about neighbouring houses to us.

"Together we have already made progress in stopping dealers, and with the support of residents we can continue to build upon that success."

Police are asking residents to be on the look-out for signs of possible illegal drugs activity, which include:

* Windows will be permanently covered from the inside

* Visits to the addresses will not match normal residents patterns

"The offenders may call daily or weekly but only for short periods

* Removal of quantities of black bags

* Compost bags and other gardening equipment in the garden but near the back door

*A pungent smell emanating from the property Sometimes a vent protruding from the roof tiles will be visible

Anyone with information is asked to contact Kent Police on telephone 01634 891055 or call Crimestoppers free and anonymously on telephone 0800 555 111.