Massive Cannabis Farm Found In The North East Valued At £1.5m

A major police operation has uncovered an industrial-scale cannabis farm worth almost £1.5 million at a property in Sunderland, highlighting the continued battle against organised crime across the North East.

Northumbria Police discovered almost 1,500 cannabis plants during a raid at an address on Nora Street in the High Barnes area after officers acted on intelligence. The seizure is one of the region's largest cannabis grow discoveries in recent months and comes as police continue targeting criminal networks operating across Sunderland, Newcastle and surrounding communities.

Detectives are now working to identify those responsible after nobody was found inside the property when officers carried out the search.

Nearly 1,500 cannabis plants discovered.

Officers forced entry to the building on June 30 after receiving intelligence suggesting it was being used for large-scale cannabis cultivation.

Inside, police discovered 1,474 cannabis plants at various stages of growth, alongside specialist cultivation equipment. Investigators estimate the potential street value of the drugs and equipment at close to £1.5 million once the plants had fully matured.

Police also found the property's electricity supply had been illegally bypassed, requiring utility partners to make the building safe before the investigation could continue. Illegal electricity connections are commonly associated with commercial cannabis farms and can present a serious fire risk to neighbouring homes.

Investigation continues across the North East.

Northumbria Police confirmed that enquiries remain ongoing to trace those behind the operation.

Inspector Wayne Hopkinson, from Sunderland Neighbourhood Policing Team, said officers remain committed to tackling drug-related crime and protecting local communities from the wider impact illegal cannabis farms can have.

He explained that police continue listening to concerns raised by residents and are determined to disrupt organised criminal activity wherever it operates. Officers also thanked members of the public whose information helped support the investigation and encouraged anyone with knowledge of suspicious activity to continue reporting it.

The raid serves as another reminder that organised criminal groups often target residential and commercial properties across the North East, including areas close to Newcastle, where illegal drug production can remain hidden for months before being discovered.

Cannabis farms remain a national policing priority.

Large-scale cannabis farms continue to be uncovered across England and Wales, with organised crime groups often converting homes, warehouses and vacant commercial buildings into sophisticated growing operations.

According to the Home Office, police forces seized around 430,000 cannabis plants across England and Wales during the year ending March 2025. While most recorded seizures involved fewer than 10 plants, large industrial grows such as the Sunderland discovery account for a significant proportion of the illegal drug supply removed from communities.

Police forces across the UK have also repeatedly warned that bypassed electricity supplies, commonly found in cannabis farms, create substantial fire risks and place neighbouring properties in danger.

Community information remains vital.

Northumbria Police says community intelligence continues to play an important role in disrupting organised crime.

Residents in Sunderland, Newcastle and elsewhere in the North East are encouraged to report unusual activity, including properties with constantly covered windows, strong cannabis smells, unexplained ventilation systems or suspicious visits at unusual hours.

Anyone with information about suspected criminal activity can contact Northumbria Police through its website, social media channels or by calling 101. Anyone witnessing a crime in progress should always call 999.

The investigation into the Sunderland cannabis farm remains active, with officers continuing enquiries to identify and arrest those responsible.