Builders used a drone to help police catch a suspected cannabis farmer after finding a £1million drug operation at a former chicken farm.
Contractors from Keystones Property Group were working at a farm in Layer Marney, near Colchester, on Friday, August 28, when they discovered the suspected operation.
They had been asked to refurbish two bungalows and inspect former chicken barns, which the owners wanted to convert into storage units.
Keystones Property and Keystones Maintenance Ltd first attended the farm on July 24. Staff were approached about letting and refurbishing the bungalows and the possible commercial use of the barns.
Following the meeting, the businesses were given keys and began work on one of the bungalows.
However, last Friday, the contractors became concerned after finding some buildings secured, with windows covered or sealed, while ventilation equipment could be heard running inside one of the buildings.
The contractors were then warned that "guardians" were on site and told they needed to leave immediately for their own safety.
They phoned the police and deployed a drone from a safe location.
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Footage sent to Talk to the Press shows people fleeing through the countryside before police captured them.
Upon arrival on the site, Essex Police found an “extremely substantial cannabis cultivation operation", and a second large barn also looked like it was being prepared for similar use.
A Keystones Property Group spokesperson said: "There were extensive growing areas and ventilation systems, while separate living accommodation appeared to have been created for people staying at the site, including beds, cooking and food-storage facilities, washing facilities and other amenities.
"A second large barn also appeared to have been undergoing preparation for similar use.
"For us, however, the most concerning part of the incident was the potential danger our employees and contractors unknowingly faced.
"We had been legitimately instructed to attend and carry out refurbishment and surveying works.
"Had we known individuals were occupying other parts of the site, or that serious criminal activity was potentially taking place there, our staff and contractors would never have been put in that position.
"Our team acted quickly when the situation became apparent, contacted the police and cooperated fully with responding officers."
An Essex Police spokesperson said: "Officers are at the scene of a suspected cannabis cultivation in the Layer Marney area.
"We were called to reports of the cultivation in Clears Road at about 1pm on Friday, August 28, and officers remain in the area while we make enquiries and secure the scene.
"A 24-year-old man of no fixed abode has been arrested and released under investigation on suspicion of cannabis cultivation. Our investigation is ongoing."
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