Three cannabis farms worth £1.5m uncovered on Wearside

Northumbria Police said investigations into the finds were continuing

Three cannabis farms with an estimated street value of £1.5m have been dismantled on Wearside.

More than 3,000 plants were seized during raids at addresses in Hendon, Ashbrooke and Hetton-le-Hole in the past month.

In one case officers were alerted by fire crews who had attended a blaze due to the electricity being by-passed.

Northumbria Police said an investigation was continuing into each of the discoveries.

Ch Insp Nicola Wearing described one of the properties as a "potential death trap", which no-one should have to live next door to.

She added: "These types of sophisticated operations often have links to serious and organised crime, with the money earned from them used to fund other criminality.

"Make no mistake; the three farms that we detected and dismantled will provide a dent in the pockets of organised criminals."