POLICE have raided a factory producing super strong “shatter” cannabis – thought to be the first of its kind in the North-East.

When police visited the property in Ryton, in Gateahead, they found a large quantity of cannabis, large quantities of money and a hoard of equipment thought to have been used to make the up-and-coming drug that has the same appearance as honeycomb.

A 25-year-old man and a 21-year-old woman were arrested on suspicion of supplying the extra strong “shatter” variation of cannabis.

Inspector Cheryl Warcup, of the Gateshead West neighbouring policing team, said: “We are aware that this ‘shatter’ form of cannabis is commonly produced in the US but it is not very widely used at all in this country.

“It is stronger then your normal cannabis but the real danger is to those who are producing the drug in the first place. Not only is it illegal but you have to use highly flammable butane gas to strip the chemicals from the plants and that puts you at huge risks.”

She added: “Shutting down these types of operations and arresting those suspected of supplying drugs does have a positive effect on our local communities.”

Shatter cannabis is also known as Butane Hash Oil and is much stronger than the common form of the drug.