A Soham man has been given a suspended sentence following the discovery of cannabis with an estimated street value of £150,000.

Ely Standard: Some of the 300 plants discovered at a home in SohamSome of the 300 plants discovered at a home in Soham (Image: Archant)

John Dyer was sentenced to nine months in prison, suspended for two years, and ordered to undertake 250 of unpaid community work.

Cambridge Crown Court also ordered the forfeiture of a shotgun found at Hodson’s Farm, Hasse Road when police raided the property in June 2014.

An armed response unit, police dog handlers and officers surrounded a farm compound in Hasse Road shortly before 4am.

After forcing their way through a heavily secured gate, specialist officers secured dogs running loose in the property.

About 300 cannabis plants were recovered by officers and a 56-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of cultivating cannabis and possession of a firearm.

A police spokesman said at the time that it had taken officers almost 12 hours to dismantle the Hasse Road factory and it had been “another great result” for the force.

The officer investigating the case, Detective Constable Peter Ware said: “This is a very positive result.

]”We have succeeded in taking a considerable quantity of drugs off the street, and there is clearly a very strong consequence for Mr Dyer if he is found to be involved in further criminal behaviour.”

If you have any information that relates to the production or supply of controlled drugs, you can call 101 and speak to an officer today. If you would like to supply information anonymously, call CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111