Police spent 18 hours at a house in Wisbech on Sunday after a chance discovery of 355 cannabis plants growing across 11 rooms.

Wisbech Standard: An early morning call to a suspected burglary in Churchill Road, Wisbech, led police to the discovery of a substantial cannabis factory with 355 plants growing across 11 rooms Picture: CAMBS POLICEAn early morning call to a suspected burglary in Churchill Road, Wisbech, led police to the discovery of a substantial cannabis factory with 355 plants growing across 11 rooms Picture: CAMBS POLICE (Image: Archant)

An emergency call was made to the house in Churchill Road in the early hours to reports of a suspected burglary in progress.

But it was when they arrived that police were forced to call for specialist back-up after inadvertently stumbling into a ‘treasure trove’ of illegal drugs.

“We found a substantial cannabis factory with 355 plants growing across 11 rooms within the house,” said a police spokesperson.

“The plants have a potential yield value of up to £170,000.”

Wisbech Standard: An early morning call to a suspected burglary in Churchill Road, Wisbech, led police to the discovery of a substantial cannabis factory with 355 plants growing across 11 rooms Picture: CAMBS POLICEAn early morning call to a suspected burglary in Churchill Road, Wisbech, led police to the discovery of a substantial cannabis factory with 355 plants growing across 11 rooms Picture: CAMBS POLICE (Image: Archant)

A team of officers spent the day at the house collating evidence – and bagging up the plants.

And passing motorists were forced to slow down as police closed off one lane of the road to conduct their search in safety.

The spokesperson said their officers were called at about 1.40am with “reports of a suspected burglary” at the house.

Two men, 20-year-old Luigi Di Caprio of Little Close in Eye, and 21-year-old James Law of no fixed address, were arrested nearby on suspicion of burglary.

Wisbech Standard: An early morning call to a suspected burglary in Churchill Road, Wisbech, led police to the discovery of a substantial cannabis factory with 355 plants growing across 11 rooms Picture: CAMBS POLICEAn early morning call to a suspected burglary in Churchill Road, Wisbech, led police to the discovery of a substantial cannabis factory with 355 plants growing across 11 rooms Picture: CAMBS POLICE (Image: Archant)

They have both been charged with burglary in connection with Churchill Road and remanded to appear at Peterborough Magistrates’ Court today (Monday)

Di Caprio has also been charged with burglary and theft of jewellery, tools, clothing, and an Xbox in connection with an incident in Kings Delph, Whittlesey, earlier this year.

Law has also been charged with two burglaries in Clipston Walk and Flore Close, both in Peterborough last month, as well as theft of a Mercedes, driving without a licence and driving without insurance.

As for the drugs the police spokesperson said: “An investigation into the production of cannabis is ongoing”

Wisbech Standard: An early morning call to a suspected burglary in Churchill Road, Wisbech, led police to the discovery of a substantial cannabis factory with 355 plants growing across 11 rooms Picture: CAMBS POLICEAn early morning call to a suspected burglary in Churchill Road, Wisbech, led police to the discovery of a substantial cannabis factory with 355 plants growing across 11 rooms Picture: CAMBS POLICE (Image: Archant)

Wisbech Standard: An early morning call to a suspected burglary in Churchill Road, Wisbech, led police to the discovery of a substantial cannabis factory with 355 plants growing across 11 rooms Picture: CAMBS POLICEAn early morning call to a suspected burglary in Churchill Road, Wisbech, led police to the discovery of a substantial cannabis factory with 355 plants growing across 11 rooms Picture: CAMBS POLICE (Image: Archant)

Wisbech Standard: Churchill Road Wisbech on Sunday as police bag up a vast number of cannabis plants found during a suspected burglary. Picture; D PATRICKChurchill Road Wisbech on Sunday as police bag up a vast number of cannabis plants found during a suspected burglary. Picture; D PATRICK (Image: Archant)

Wisbech Standard: Churchill Road Sunday August 23 where a large police presence dealt cannabis factory found there. Picture: IAN CARTERChurchill Road Sunday August 23 where a large police presence dealt cannabis factory found there. Picture: IAN CARTER (Image: Archant)