SEVEN people have been arrested and 2,000 cannabis plants seized following a successful operation by Essex Police.

Acting on intelligence officers carried out a search of premises at the Moorlands Industrial Estate in Tile Works Lane, Rettendon on Thursday November 24.

Officers from the Chelmsford Local Policing Team found a sophisticated cannabis factory setup with 2,000 plants of the Class B drug growing inside.

Seven men were arrested at the scene for a variety of offences including producing, possessing and conspiring to produce A Class B drug.

They include a 29-year-old from Hertfordshire, a 31-year-old from Dagenham, a 52-year-old from Buckhurst Hill, a 53-year-old man from Romford and three men aged 30, 34 and 32 Hornchurch.

All seven men have now been released on bail until March 2017.