'Designer homes destroyed' by £1m cannabis factory

Police said the cannabis had a street value of more than £1m

Cannabis with a street value of more than £1m has been found in two neighbouring 'designer' homes in a quiet village.

More than 1,000 plants were being grown in 18 different rooms in the five-bedroom houses in Mill Road, in Fen Drayton, Cambridgeshire.

Police said what had once been two "designer homes" had been "destroyed, with windows boarded, holes in walls, doors removed and cabling everywhere".

Two men were found hiding in a cupboard in one house and two others attempted to flee during the raid on Tuesday morning but all four were detained and have been since charged with production of cannabis.

Police said the once "designer homes" had been trashed by the cannabis gang

Bunk beds were found in the kitchen area of one of the houses

Police officers went to the properties after information was received, and concerns raised, by members of the public.

Insp Colin Norden said: "On the outside, these two properties look like lovely family homes in a quiet village.

"The insides tell a completely different story. Once two designer homes destroyed, with windows boarded, holes in walls, doors removed and cabling everywhere to create a sophisticated cannabis production.

"Growing and selling cannabis is not only illegal but can also generate funds for gangs to use in other criminal enterprises."

He added: "We will continue to disrupt drug dealing networks and stop criminals making money from the illegal drugs trade and we continue to ask for the communities support in doing this."

Equipment for growing the cannabis, cash and mobile phones were also seized.

Cannabis was growing in 18 rooms across the two houses