An anonymous tip-off led police to a suburban cannabis factory on Wednesday afternoon. Officers seized 360 plants with a street value of £120,000 from a house in Tennyson Place, Ely. Detectives believe the factory could have been in operation for a whi

An anonymous tip-off led police to a suburban cannabis factory on Wednesday afternoon.

Officers seized 360 plants with a street value of £120,000 from a house in Tennyson Place, Ely.

Detectives believe the factory could have been in operation for a while as they discovered stalks of plants stored in the loft suggesting there had been a previous crop.

It is the second drugs raid in East Cambridgeshire in just a week. On Friday a beat officer sniffed out £120,000 at a house in Friar's Way Littleport and more than 400 plants were seized.

Detective Sergeant Nick Skipworth said of the latest discovery: "We received an anonymous tip-off from a member of the public about this building and we sent an officer round who saw all the windows were covered in black plastic.

"When we entered the building, we found all four bedrooms and the living room were filled with cannabis plants.

"Looking at the plants, I think they would fetch £120,000 once they were harvested and this could happen every three months or so.

"We've also found some bags of stalks in the loft, which suggest this isn't the first crop."

Lighting equipment worth £10,000 was also seized in the raid.

DS Skipworth urged landlords to keep an eye on their properties and report any suspicions to police.

He said: "These tenants will pay in cash upfront, but they will leave thousands of pounds of damage.

"We need people to contact us if they think something is wrong. We know what to look for and will make discreet inquiries - we're not going to smash down the door without good reason."

A 45-year-old man has been charged with cannabis production. He will appear at Cambridge Crown Court today (Thursday).

Anyone with any information about a suspected drugs' factory is asked to contact police on 0845 4564564 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.