£2 million cannabis factory raided at Wednesbury industrial unit

West Midlands Police seized more than 2,000 plants after swooping on the address in Old Park Road, Wednesbury, in the early hours of Thursday.

A 48-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of cultivating cannabis and remains in custody for questioning this morning.

Residents living near to the industrial estate described experiencing a strong smell yesterday

Matt Clarke, aged 36, a teacher who lives on Old Park Road, said he was shocked about the raid.

He added: "I have got hayfever but when I got out my car, I thought I was high.

"Loads of police turned up, I didn't really know what was going on. One of the coppers said there was a massive weed grow."

Wednesbury Town Police published a photograph showing dozens of cannabis plants packed tightly together.

The police account said the cannabis factory was dismantled over a two-day period.

West Midlands Police says the average cannabis plant has the street value of £1,000.

A spokesman for West Midlands Police said: "We've discovered more than 2,000 plants after raiding a cannabis factory in a West Bromwich industrial unit.

"Officers received information of a suspected drugs den off Old Park Road, Wednesbury.

"The large haul of cannabis was found and is being seized.

"A 48-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of cultivating cannabis and remains in custody for questioning."