POLICE have seized drugs worth up to £16,000 after swooping on an isolated country farmhouse, it was revealed yesterday.

Detectives who led the operation said they found that a rural outbuilding had been turned into a sophisticated cannabis growing factory.

Officers raided the premises just outside Scagglethorpe, near Malton, North Yorkshire, on Monday morning.

Detective Constable Garry Ridler, of North Yorkshire Police, said officers had seized 65 mature skunk cannabis plants, which were being grown at the address.

"Located in the stable outbuildings was a hydroponic cannabis grower. The whole barn had an attic lined with polythene, with artificial lighting to create a totally false environment," he said.

Det Con Ridler said samples of thedrugs were sent for forensic analysis to determine the possible yield of the crop and its potential street value but they believe drugs worth up to £16,000 could have been harvested.

Det Con Ridler said: "There was also evidence of a previously harvested crop of the same value. It was a significant, organised set-up, one of the most professional growers I have come across in my experience.

"The significance of this is that it shows that people think they can use Ryedale as an area to set this organisation up. But with this success, I think we are showing that is not the case."

A man and a woman arrested in connection with the raid have been released on bail pending further inquiries