A huge drug haul worth more than £1million has been seized by police as part of a major operation against organised criminals.

Police in Hartlepool uncovered the mass of drugs today (October 19) during a specialist operation, codenamed Operation Resolve.

Several warrants were executed, leading them to two cannabis farms, one on Victoria Road with an estimated value of more than £1m, and another on Dent Street, believed to be worth up to £67,000.

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Three men, aged 32, 46, and 70 have been arrested in connection with drugs offences and remain in police custody.

The Northern Echo: Picture]: CLEVELAND POLICEPicture]: CLEVELAND POLICE (Image: CLEVELAND POLICE)

A local business was also closed down by the Health and Safety Executive as part of the action and a man has been referred to the immigration service.

Inspector Zoe Kelsey from Hartlepool Neighbourhood Policing Team said: “Hartlepool Neighbourhood Policing Team alongside our partners will continue to target organised criminal groups within the Hartlepool area.

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“We will continue to disrupt criminal activity and bring to justice anyone involved in the production and distribution of drugs, to make our community a safer place to live.”

The Northern Echo: Picture: CLEVELAND POLICEPicture: CLEVELAND POLICE (Image: CLEVELAND POLICE)

The operation involved officers from the Hartlepool Neighbourhood Policing Team, National Crime Agency, North East Regional Organised Crime Unit, Cleveland Specialist Operations Unit, and Health and Safety Executive.

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