HUNDREDS of cannabis plants have been seized after police raided two Southampton homes. 

Officers swooped on a home in Heysham Road to discover around 350 plants. A search of the next-door property revealed a further 450 plants. 

Ba Le Nguyen, 45, of no fixed address, has been since been charged in connection with the factory found in the early hours of Thursday morning. 

He stands accused of cultivating a Class B drug – cannabis - and was remanded to appear at Southampton Magistrates’ Court on Friday.

Police officers remained at the scene on Friday afternoon with residents saying that the street is usually quiet.

One resident, who wished to remain unnamed, said he was shocked by the police presence.

Read more: Hundreds of plants seized following cannabis factory raid at Southampton home

He said: "I saw the police chasing someone down. 

"The cars have been here for two days now. 

"It’s usually a quiet street, but I don't know what is going on."

Another resident said: "It's a cannabis factory up there. I heard the police smashing and banging doors."

One witness described seeing police officers armed with a Taser during the raid.  

The new leader of the city council, Labour councillor, Satvir Kaur, has also expressed concern.

She said: "People deserve to feel safe in their homes, their streets, and within our neighbourhoods." 

She believes the lack of police officers in the county has led to an increase in anti-social behaviour activities. 

Read more: 'Police chase man with Taser' in residential street

Cllr Kaur added: "Hampshire has lost 700 police officers in recent years and it's clear that is having an impact. As a Labour council, we will continue to lobby for more police resources within the city, as we believe Southampton currently isn’t getting its fair share."

To tackle illegal drugs, she says the council will also be introducing a safer neighbourhoods fund to help people feel safer where they live.

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