Five people have been charged after police seized an estimated £800,000-£1 million worth of cannabis from a warehouse in Charlton.

Officers from the South East Basic Command Unit’s (BCU) Violence Suppression team discovered the cannabis farm in a 32,000 square feet commercial premises in Eastmoor Street on Wednesday morning, December 30.

They obtained a warrant to gain entry and search the site after receiving intelligence about a cannabis factory being operated there.

A police helicopter was also called in to provide further reconnaissance during the operation.

Five men were arrested at the scene on suspicion of cultivation of cannabis and have now been charged.

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Acting Inspector Matt Boniface, of the South East BCU Violence Suppression team, said: “This was a significant drug production site with hundreds of plants producing a controlled drug, intended for sale on London’s streets, to line the pockets of criminals.

“These sites are also a fire hazard, so it is important they are identified and shut down at the earliest opportunity.

“Drugs are often the root cause of the violence we see in the capital. Seizures like this play a huge part in our ongoing efforts to reduce violent crime and make communities safer.

"We would urge anyone who suspects that a cannabis factory is being run in their neighbourhood to call police right away.”

You can call police by dialling the non-emergency number, 101.

If you don’t want to speak to the police, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.