by Jamie Bullen

jbullen@thekmgroup.co.uk

Three cannabis factories were smashed by police today after a series of raids in Herne Bay.

Officers executed search warrants at three houses in the town this morning and arrested two people on suspicion of cultivating the class B drug.

The first raid was at 9.30am at a house in Mortimer Street, where officers discovered several hundred plants in differing stages of maturity. The electricity had also been bypassed.

A 20-year-old man was arrested at the address and taken in for questioning.

Eyewitness David Shortt, who lives just a couple of doors away, was stunned when he heard a loud bang as he sat down to read his newspaper.

He said: “There was so much shouting and banging - it was quite cinematic.

“I thought the house was empty. About two months ago a family living there had moved out and I hadn’t seen any activity at all.

“The police were shouting ‘come out, come out’ and ‘we know you’re in there’ and then they started moving down the side of the house.

“There were at least four officers, some in uniform and some with plain clothes. They were carrying tasers and had helmets on.”

The second factory was found at a house in Canterbury Road, where there was evidence of recent production of cannabis

A third was uncovered in Norton Avenue, Herne, where a smaller cannabis growing set-up was discovered with a smaller number of plants. A 44-year-old man was arrested at the address.

Both men arrested are still in police custody.

DI Eddie Fox, of the Serious Organised Crime Unit, said: “Today's operation was part of our ongoing commitment to target organised criminals involved in the lucrative but damaging drug trade in cannabis.

“We will continue our efforts to find and bring to justice anyone involved in the production and sale of drugs in this county, and we would ask for the public's help in identifying any premises that might be being used by criminals for this purpose.

“Cannabis factories can be found in any community and in any type of premises, from a small flat to a large commercial warehouse, so we would encourage anyone who has any suspicions to let us know. If you see or smell anything suspicious in your neighbourhood then report it to us by calling 101 or speak to your local neighbourhood officer.”