Essex Police find 1,100 cannabis plants in Chigwell barn

Police bodycam footage captured the presence of over 1,100 cannabis plants cultivated inside a barn. This significant find occurred during a raid on several buildings located on Gravel Lane in Chigwell, Essex, which took place on Friday morning.

Authorities described the site as a “substantial and well-organised cannabis factory,” noting that the plants were being grown on an “industrial scale.” The scale and setup pointed to a highly coordinated operation.

During the search, five men were taken into custody at the scene. Following the arrests, two of the individuals have been formally charged with suspicion of producing a Class B drug.

Sgt Neil Ross commented on the broader implications of such operations: “Large‑scale cannabis production like this is not a victimless crime. These operations are often linked to organised criminal networks that exploit vulnerable people and fuel wider violence and harm within our communities.