POLICE have arrested three people in connection with a cannabis factory.

Officers from Sudbury Safer Neighbourhood Team attended a property on Middleton Road, Sudbury yesterday (Monday 12 Apr) at about 11.30am to speak to a male about an unrelated matter.

When inside the property officers uncovered a cannabis factory with around 150 plants with an estimated street value of £100,000.

Officers from Op Scorpion team, who tackle drug dealing crime and related criminality, also attended the property to support the recovery and subsequent investigation into the find.

A 17 year old male was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in a supplying controlled drug, and being involved in modern slavery offences, while a 44 year old male was arrested on suspicion of being involved in modern slavery offences, being concerned in supplying a controlled drug, as well as on suspicion of driving offences, including driving whilst disqualified and driving with no insurance.

Finally, a 20 year old male was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in supplying controlled drugs.

A Suffolk Police spokesman said: "All three were taken to Bury St Edmunds Police investigation Centre for questioning and all were subsequently released under investigation.

"Enquiries into the incident are on-going and anyone with information about it should contact Sudbury police, quoting crime reference 37/18085/21.

"Officers would urge local residents and businesses to be vigilant to suspicious activity and anyone with information about drug-related activity in their community should contact Suffolk police.

"The signs to spot for suspected cannabis factories include a strong or sickly sweet smell in the air; buildings with windows constantly blocked off; high levels of heat and condensation and the constant buzz of ventilation.

"Such operations would most likely have people coming and going from an address at unsociable hours too."