POLICE officers used electric tools to cut their way into a cannabis factory just off a busy Southampton road.
Up to 1,000 plants have been seized following a raid at a warehouse in the Portswood area of the city.
The drugs operation was found tucked behind Victory Gospel Church and Admiral Casino on Portswood Road.
READ MORE: Police seize between 500 and 1,000 plants during warehouse raid
There were scenes of chaos as diggers ripped up the pavement and SSE engineers worked to cut the power supply on Saturday.
The factory was discovered on Friday afternoon with officers working in the area over the weekend.
According to a police spokesperson, officers had to wait for SSE to make the building safe before they could enter.
No one has been arrested in connection with the operation and enquiries are said to be ongoing.
READ MORE: Photo of 'one of the largest' cannabis factories in Southampton
The owner of Charcoal Grill, which is directly opposite the warehouse, Ensar Yilmaz said: "I've never seen anyone get access to that place. How they did it, I don't know.
"The police were here yesterday [Friday] afternoon. They just came. They cut the door. Seven or eight police officers. They cut with an electric grinder.
"I've just started work at 12 o'clock and they're just waiting out there.
"Good to find it... it's going to be in the streets... a lot of kids are going to be involved. It's a poison. To me, drugs destroy the family."
READ MORE: Police appeal for witnesses after cannabis factory found
A local barber, who wished to remain unnamed, said: “It’s not a surprise. There is action around here the whole time. When you work with a cash business and walk home at night it’s not nice. I think we need more police.”
In October, police raided a cannabis factory in Millbank Street in Northam.
During a hearing at Southampton Magistrates' Court it was heard that it was kitted out with a 'fully-stocked kitchen' and gym.
The "large-scale" operation is said to have housed over 1,000 plants that could produce drugs worth upwards of £140,000.
READ MORE: All the cannabis factories busted by police this month
Selami Lugja, 31, Alfred Mamoci, 35, and Rezart Selami, 29, have all pleaded guilty to producing a controlled class B drug.
All of no fixed address, they are due to be sentenced at Southampton Crown Court in the coming months.
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