POLICE have uncovered two cannabis plant factories after raiding addresses in Strood and the Luton area of Chatham.

Following a tip-off from a member of the public, police officers searched a house in Weston Road, Strood.

Subsequently, information from staff members at a lettings agency, who had become suspicious of some tenants, led police to raid an address in Constitution Road, Luton.

Detectives say that in total more than 800 cannabis plants have been recovered. No inhabitants were found at the addresses, and police enquiries are now focused on identifying the offenders involved.

The raids happened on Friday, November 3. Det Insp John Coull, who heads Medway Police’s drugs crackdown, said: “The discoveries have prevented a significant amount of drugs getting onto the streets."

He added: "These two premises alone were capable of producing about £120,000 worth of cannabis every three months. I am grateful to the public for being vigilant and reporting their suspicions to the police.”

Medway 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 827055 or call Crimestoppers free and anonymously on telephone 0800 555 111.