Police yesterday claimed to have made a significant dent into drugs supply in East Anglia following the seizure of thousands of pounds worth of cannabis plants.

Police yesterday claimed to have made a significant dent into drugs supply in East Anglia following the seizure of thousands of pounds worth of cannabis plants.

Dozens of officers from Norwich CID and the force's Mobile Support Team took part in the raid on the "drugs factory" in outbuildings of industrial premises in Shotthorn Road, Stratton Strawless.

Nearly 240 plants were discovered in the operation which took place on July 13 but details of which emerged yesterday after a man in his 40s was arrested on suspicion of producing cannabis. He has been released on police bail pending further inquiries.

A sophisticated hydroponics system - used to encourage

plant growth - was seized.

Det Sgt Dave Mytton, who led the operation, said: "We acted on intelligence gathered over a number of weeks.

"We have now taken a large amount of cannabis out of circulation and disrupted the criminal activities of the people who were engaged in producing and selling this drug."

Crime Scene Investigators are carrying out detailed forensic inquiries and police are trying to trace the owners of the premises.

The drugs have been sent for examination. It is believed their street value could approach £10,000.