Two men accused of growing cannabis plants with an estimated street value of £1.5million have appeared in court.

Romario Lila, 20, and Shkelzen Kojku, 25, both of no fixed address, were remanded in custody at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court yesterday.

No pleas were entered and they will appear at Chelmsford Crown Court in the week commencing November 10.

Lila and Kojku were arrested after police raided an industrial unit at Meridian Business Park in Fleming Road, Waltham Abbey, on Tuesday.

Police found around 1,765 mature plants, 2,000 seedlings and an extensive range of hydroponic equipment across two floors of the unit.

The police raid was carried out as part of Operation Trivium, a collaboration between police forces across Europe.