More than 450 cannabis plants were found in Rochford after police traced a stolen vehicle.

Officers of Essex Police’s Castle Point and Rochford policing team were called to an address, which has not been revealed, in Rochford where a stolen vehicle had been carefully followed.  

A warrant was obtained to search the premises, and the vehicle was found. 

As well as this, an extensive cannabis operation containing hundreds of plants was also discovered. 

Police stated two people were arrested on site, the stolen vehicle returned to its owner and that enquiries were ongoing. 

Specialist officers from the Essex Operational Support Group assisted in dismantling the cultivation farm.

Essex Police’s Castle Point and Rochford Policing team posted: “Officers were called to a location in the Rochford district where a stolen vehicle had been tracked. 

“On executing a warrant and searching the location the vehicle was located, but also an extensive cannabis cultivation of 450 plants and 501 seedlings in a number of rooms. 

“Two persons were arrested on site, the vehicle returned to its owner and enquires continue. 

“Specialist officers from the Operational Support Group assisted in dismantling this progressional set up.”

The Group help with operations across the county using specialist assets.

The discovery comes a month after the policing team made 85 arrests across Rochford in relation to drugs offences.

In the space of a year, the team executed 24 warrants and used stop and search powers 80 times.

More than 440 grams of cannabis, crack cocaine and cocaine were seized along with heroin, MDMA and thousands of pounds in cash.

The operation took place from March 2018 to March 2019, with the team working 9,300 hours.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: “A 52-year-old man from the Rochford area was arrested on Friday April 12 on suspicion of cultivating cannabis. 

“He has been released under investigation while our enquiries continue.”

Call 101 with information.