A MAN is being questioned by police after a suspected cannabis farm was found in Middlesbrough yesterday (SUNDAY).

Officers from Cleveland Police's drug enforcement team found what they believe to be 321 cannabis plants worth £144,450 inside a property in Thornton Street.

A 24-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of production of cannabis and is being questioned.

It comes after the drug team found more than 200 cannabis plants with a potential value of £176,000 in Balmoral Avenue, Billingham on Friday,

Another 24-year-old man was arrested and charged with production of cannabis.

Detective Inspector Christian Ellis of the Community Drug Enforcement Team (CDET) said: “The CDET will continue to take action against the production and supply of drugs within the Cleveland Police area."

He said cannabis farms could be spotted by:

• A strong, sickly smell given off by cannabis plants;

• Cannabis growing equipment being taken into a house, for example, lighting and ventilation equipment;

• Constantly covered or blocked-off windows, black-out blinds or curtains;

• Unsociable coming and going at all hours;

• Strong and constant lighting day and night;

• High levels of heat and condensation. Cannabis factories often give off heat and the windows stay misted up;

• Constant buzz of ventilation - a "whirring" sound;

• Lots of power cables. Gangs dig underground to lay cables that hook up to things like lamp posts so they don’t have to pay for the enormous amounts of electricity they use.

He added that cannabis farms posed a danger to the community from unsafe electrical arrangements which could cause fire, and once again urged the public to help police by reporting any suspicions.