A cannabis farm, believed to be one of the largest found in Essex this year, has been shut down.
Around 800 cannabis plants and 10kg of cannabis were found after police raided a farm in King Street, Ongar, at midday on Friday.
Officers arrested six men at the scene, who have each since been charged with being concerned in the production of a Class B drug.
Stephen Francis, 45, of no fixed address; Joseph Xenofondos, 39, of no fixed address; Anthony Georgiou, 49, of no fixed address; Christopher Reilly, 49, of no fixed address; Jamie Walters, 56, a driver from Ackroid Drive in Bow; and John Brown, 35, unemployed from Appleby Drive, Romford, are all currently in custody and will appear at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court today.
Epping Forest neighbourhood policing inspector, Andy Fusher, said: "The closure of this farm and the arrests has undoubtedly put a massive dent in the local cannabis supply market.
“It will help in some way to enhancing the quality of life for hundreds of people; residents living nearby as well as others dependent on this illegal drug which ruins lives and is linked to other everyday crime.”
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