CANNABIS worth an estimated £250,000 was seized by police who swooped on a house in Nelson.

Police raided the house in Halifax Road yesterday at around 8.30am after Pendle MP Andrew Stephenson flagged it up to officers following a complaint from a resident at his surgery.

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Nine police officers forced their way into the property which is thought to have been vacant for some time.

They found that all rooms except one were being used for cannabis cultivation and a total of 627 cannabis plants were seized. No arrests have been made so far and Insp Paul Goodall, of the Pendle Neighbourhood Policing Team, said that inquiries were on-going.

He said: “This raid is part of our on-going commitment to tackling drugs and it’s thanks to vigilant members of the local community that we have been able to recover a considerable amount of drugs.

“We need the public to continue to work with us to help us tackle drug crime by informing us of any suspicious activity.”

He urged anyone with information that could help identify those responsible for this drugs operation to call Nelson Police Team or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Pendle MP Andrew Stephenson said: “I am delighted at the swift action taken by our local police following concerns raised with me by a member of the public. Due to commitments in Westminster I was unable to attend the raid, but was delighted that not only was the concerned resident proved right, but a significant amount of drugs have been sized. I pay tribute to the quick response from our local police officers putting a stop to this criminal activity.”