A large-scale cannabis factory has been uncovered in Leatherhead following reports received by members of the public of a strong smell coming from a building.

Officers attended the site on Randalls Way on Monday, 20 October and found a large cultivation of cannabis inside, with an estimated street value of over £1,700,000.

A scene guard will remain in place while officers carry out their enquiries and the factory is dismantled.

PC Ewan Keen from Mole Valley Safter Neighbourhood Team said: “This is a great result in seizing these plants and making sure they do not get sold on our streets. We found over 1,000 plants, as well as living quarters.

“These cannabis factories can be a huge risk and can cause fires, which in a residential location, could cause serious damage. In addition, we often find evidence of modern-day slavery at these locations. Only by taking robust action can we safeguard the most vulnerable members of our society.”

“We continue to work to identify and dismantle organised crime networks and drugs coming into Surrey. We are grateful to the information provided by the community which led to this discovery and urge anyone with more information that will help with our investigation to come forward.”

We rely on information provided to us by local communities to help us build a picture of suspicious activity in that area. Please report anything suspicious to us by direct messaging us or calling us on 101 quoting reference PR/45250127536. Alternatively you can provide information anonymously via the independent charity Crimestoppers at https://crimestoppers-uk.org/ or by calling 0800 555 1111.

What are the signs of potential drug dealing:

• Lots of visitors, who don’t stay very long, arriving at all times of the day and night
• People waiting in cars outside particular properties exchanging small packets or cash
• Lots of visitors bringing items such as TVs or bikes but leaving empty handed
• Lone/vulnerable neighbours suddenly having groups of young men living at their address

What we want to know:

• Time, date and place
• Vehicle registrations and the make, model and colour
• Descriptions of people and details of what they were doing
• Direction they travelling to and from
• How many times you have seen them – is it always at the same time of day?

Don’t put yourself at risk while gathering this information. Please always pass the information to the police and do not confront or approach suspected drug dealers.