Cannabis plants with an estimated street value of £250,000 have been recovered by police following a raid in Wisbech today (September 15).

Wisbech Standard: The growing plants were being monitored using a number of CCTV cameras around the house. PHOTO: Seb PearceThe growing plants were being monitored using a number of CCTV cameras around the house. PHOTO: Seb Pearce (Image: Archant)

Police have called in a forensics team to dismantle what they are describing as a major success in the war on drugs in the town.

The raid, where around 480 young cannabis plants were discovered, was carried out in Oakroyd Crescent at around 10.30am.

Chief Inspector David Murphy of Cambridgeshire Police says that the factory has links to organised crime in the area.

Wisbech Standard: Up to 500 cannabis plants found at cannabis factory inside £130,000 detached house in Oakroyd Crescent, Wisbech. PHOTO: Seb PearceUp to 500 cannabis plants found at cannabis factory inside £130,000 detached house in Oakroyd Crescent, Wisbech. PHOTO: Seb Pearce (Image: Archant)

He said: “It’s a very professional hydroponics set-up. What elevates this above other procedures is that is a professional set-up linked to organised crime. We’re very confident we can link known offenders to it.

“The property was being monitored elsewhere by the offenders on CCTV, which shows how professional it was. We’re confident of making arrests by the beginning of next week.”

Police are thought to have been tracking movements at the house for some time and decided to move in on the house today.

Wisbech Standard: Up to 500 cannabis plants found at cannabis factory inside £130,000 detached house in Oakroyd Crescent, Wisbech. PHOTO: Seb PearceUp to 500 cannabis plants found at cannabis factory inside £130,000 detached house in Oakroyd Crescent, Wisbech. PHOTO: Seb Pearce (Image: Archant)

Our reporter on the scene, Seb Pearce, says the whole house “appears to have been gutted. It is a very sophisticated operation for sure.

“The whole house was being monitored externally and there were cameras both inside and outside.”

The three-bedroom house used to grow the plants was listed for sale for £130,000 in November last year.

Wisbech Standard: Up to 500 cannabis plants found at cannabis factory inside £130,000 detached house in Oakroyd Crescent, Wisbech. PHOTO: Seb PearceUp to 500 cannabis plants found at cannabis factory inside £130,000 detached house in Oakroyd Crescent, Wisbech. PHOTO: Seb Pearce (Image: Archant)

Cannabis plants of different ages were found growing in four rooms using a sophisticated hydroponic set-up containing fans and growing containers.

Several rooms also contained black bin bags full of freshly-harvested cannabis, ready for sale.

The find comes just four months after around 700 plants were found in a factory on the outskirts of March.

Wisbech Standard: Before and after: What the kitchen of the house on Oakroyd Crescent looked like before it was turned into a cannabis factory (left) and after. PHOTO: Seb PearceBefore and after: What the kitchen of the house on Oakroyd Crescent looked like before it was turned into a cannabis factory (left) and after. PHOTO: Seb Pearce (Image: Archant)

Wisbech Standard: The factory was being monitored using two CCTV cameras: one inside the house and one in the kitchen. PHOTO: Seb PearceThe factory was being monitored using two CCTV cameras: one inside the house and one in the kitchen. PHOTO: Seb Pearce (Image: Archant)

Wisbech Standard: Up to 500 cannabis plants found at cannabis factory inside £130,000 detached house in Oakroyd Crescent, Wisbech. PHOTO: Seb PearceUp to 500 cannabis plants found at cannabis factory inside £130,000 detached house in Oakroyd Crescent, Wisbech. PHOTO: Seb Pearce (Image: Archant)