1,700 cannabis plants found in Colchester building
Police have charged three men from London
Around 1,700 cannabis plants have been found in Colchester.
Officers discovered them in a disused building in the town on Monday morning.
They had received reports of suspicious activity at the site.
Police found three men inside who have been arrested on suspicion of cultivating cannabis.
Work remains ongoing to dismantle the equipment and remove the plants.
Essex Police have charged a 33 year old man, a 34 year old man and a 40 year old man, all from the London, with production of cannabis.
All three men have been remanded in custody to appear before the next available court.
The force say cannabis factories are linked to criminals who exploit vulnerable people for their own financial gain. These might be people who are exploited or forced to work for them to manage these cultivations, or to sell the drugs.
Anyone with information about this cannabis factory is asked to contact Essex Police quoting incident 133 of 4th January.
You can submit a report online or use the 'Live Chat' button to speak to an online operator between 7am-11pm.
Alternatively, you can call 101.
Information can also be given to independent charity Crimestoppers 100% anonymously on 0800 555 111.