Three cannabis farms worth 拢1.5m uncovered on Wearside

Image source, Northumbria Police

Image caption, Northumbria Police said investigations into the finds were continuing

Three cannabis farms with an estimated street value of 拢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."