Police seized more than £800,000 worth of cannabis plants this morning during a raid in Eastwood.

Officers, supported by colleagues from Beeston and the Fire and Rescue Service, forced entry to a disused medical centre in Nottingham Road shortly after 9am (Thursday 21 May).

More than 800 cannabis plants, with a street value believed to be in excess of £825,000, were found in a total of eleven rooms at the site – along with an array of highly sophisticated growing equipment.

Two men, have been arrested on suspicion of cultivation of cannabis and possession with intent to supply class B drugs.A specialist team has been on site throughout the day to document and remove the plants.

Inspector Simon Riley, District Commander for Broxtowe Borough, said: “It’s safe to say that this is an extremely large and sophisticated grow.

“We are delighted with this result and would also like to place on record our thanks to our colleagues at Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service who helped us to gain access to the building with specialist equipment. This isn’t the first time they have supported us in this way and I’m certain that it won’t be the last.

“The production and distribution of drugs is an extremely serious offence and I hope this serves as a reminder that we will not tolerate organised crime of this sort in Nottinghamshire.

“We remain as committed as ever to taking illegal drugs off our streets, and my message to anyone involved in the supply of illegal drugs is clear: we’re watching you and it could be you next.”

Station Manager Chris Emmott, of Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service, added: “We were contacted by Nottinghamshire Police this morning to ask if we could assist in gaining entry to a premises in Eastwood, using specialist tools.

“This forms part of a long standing agreement between the emergency services, whereby we utilise our specialist skills and equipment to support the work of our police and ambulance service colleagues and we were pleased to be able to help on this occasion.”

The investigation is ongoing and anyone who has seen suspicious activity at the premises recently, or has any information that could help the enquiry, is urged to call Nottinghamshire Police on 101.