A LARGE cannabis farm - which police believe would have funded serious organised crime - has been discovered by officers.
About 1,700 plants were found growing inside a building on Kingsway, Bishop Auckland, when officers executed a warrant on Friday.
The raid was carried out after Bishop Auckland Neighbourhood Police Team developed intelligence it had received from the community about the premises.
Police officers remained at the scene throughout much of the weekend and an investigation is now underway to find those responsible for the criminal activity.
A Bishop Auckland Neighbourhood Police team spokesperson said: "Approximately 1,700 cannabis plants ranging in maturity were seized and destroyed.
"An investigation is underway to identify those involved and the intelligence will be shared with our partner agencies to further strengthen our response to intercepting drugs before they hit our streets.
"Like all illegal substances, the street dealing profits from this crop would have likely funded organised crime, with links to firearms, modern day slavery and human trafficking."
Anyone who has any information they would like to pass to police can do so anonymously via the non-emergency number 101 or online via Crimestoppers.
"We will always investigate and develop intelligence provided to us," the spokesperson added.
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