Police have executed a warrant at two addresses on Pound Road, Aldershot, and arrested three people following the discovery of a cannabis factory

Officers entered both properties on the morning of Thursday 7 July and found more than 500 cannabis plants in various stages of growth.

A 20-year-old man, from Aldershot, was arrested on suspicion of producing a controlled drug of class B. He has been released on conditional bail and enquiries are ongoing.

A 20-year-old man, from Aldershot, was arrested on suspicion of producing a controlled drug of class B. He has been released on conditional bail and enquiries are ongoing.

A 23-year-old man, from Aldershot, was arrested on suspicion of producing a controlled drug of class B and an immigration offence. He will face no further action in relation to the drugs offence.

Police know that many people think it is just a bit of cannabis, but we want to stress that any production of drugs is linked to hidden harm.

Large-scale operations are often run by organised crime gangs, who are likely to engage in very serious violence involving weapons, such as firearms.

The electrical requirement to grow this many plants is also really dangerous and can be a huge fire risk, putting neighbouring properties, and lives, in danger.

Police encourage people to please continue to report suspicious behaviour and suspected drug dealing in your neighbourhood to police, as the information you provide helps them develop the bigger picture that leads them to take action and remove drugs from the streets.

People can contact police on 101 or online at https://www.hampshire.police.uk/ro/report/.