Police have seized 16,000 cannabis plants across the North East during June raids.

The operation, known as Operation Mille, saw coordinated efforts between multiple forces to carry out 87 warrants.

The attempt aimed to disrupt organised crime groups across the region.

Police made 70 arrests along with seizing large amounts of cash and weapons.

Detective Chief Superintendent Phil Shutt explained that the selling of cannabis might seem petty but can fuel far more serious crimes including human trafficking.

He said: "We know people often consider cannabis-related crime to be ‘low level’, however, it is evident that there are very often links between organised crime and those involved in cannabis cultivation.

"These types of illegal operations help fuel violence in communities and fund wider serious crime such as human trafficking, child exploitation, firearm importation and distribution and modern-day slavery."

The Northern Echo: Cleveland Police found a huge cannabis farm

The operation involved cooperation between Cleveland Police, Northumbria Police, Durham Constabulary and their partner agencies.

Raids were carried out across the rest of the country and nationally £130m worth of plants were seized.

Superintendent Shutt added: "This national operation has been a huge success.

"Not only has it disrupted and dismantled a significant amount of organised criminal activity, but the intelligence gathered will also help inform future investigations across the country.

"Activity like this is always ongoing, and police forces and partners in our region remain dedicated to tackling all forms of serious and organised crime in order to safeguard the vulnerable, protect victims and communities and bring justice to those exploiting others and committing crime."

The Northern Echo: Durham Police make an arrest during one of the raids

In Northumbria alone 27 farms were identified with 7,000 plants in them.

Assistant Chief Constable Alastair Simpson, from Northumbria Police, said: "We know no one wants to live next to a cannabis farm and be impacted by the corrosive, ripple effects of drug-dealing which is why this work is so important.

"Through Operation Mille, we were able to develop our intelligence picture, identify and dismantle numerous large-scale farms and grow houses as well as arrest a number of key individuals involved in the supply chain.

"This activity undoubtedly makes our communities stronger and safer and shows our commitment to tackling illegal drug supply.

"We know there are mixed views on the legalities of cannabis but the sad reality is that these criminal networks will use their profits to fund further criminal activity and are often involved in violence, human trafficking and slavery, and anti-social behaviour which is why it is so important we put an end to it."

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The police were keen to emphasise the local risk that cannabis farms can pose.

The size of the farms can often damage the properties they are housed in and make them a fire risk.

Anyone with information about a potential cannabis factory or drug dealing can contact their local police force online or via 101.

People can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111 or crimestoppers-uk.org