Kent Police is investigating after cannabis plants were discovered in a one-bedroom flat in Ramsgate.
Officers were called to the address in Belmont Road by Kent Fire and Rescue Service just before midnight on Friday (11 May) after the flat beneath suffered flooding.
More than 50 cannabis plants were discovered in the first floor flat.
Crime scene investigators carried out forensic examinations before the ‘factory’ was dismantled by officers.
Detective Sergeant Heidi Collins said: “This discovery will have had a significant impact on the supply of illegal drugs in Thanet.
“Enquiries are ongoing to establish who was running the cannabis factory and we are pursuing a number of lines of enquiry.
“We would like to hear from anyone who has seen suspicious activity in the Belmont Road area of Ramsgate. We would also like to hear from anyone suspecting that a cannabis factory may be operating in their neighbourhood.”
Signs of a cannabis factory can include windows being permanently covered from the inside and visits to the address not matching normal residents’ patterns, that is people calling daily or weekly but only for short periods of time.
DS Collins said: “Often a pungent smell will emanate from the building. Sometimes this even seeps through walls to adjacent properties.
“Other telltale signs can include compost bags and other gardening equipment in the garden or close to the back door without any clear indication of normal gardening, or vents protruding from the roof tiles.”
Anyone with information about the Belmont Road cannabis factory should phone Kent Police on 01843 222289 or Kent Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 quoting reference number 11-1569.
If you have information about illegal drug supply in your neighbourhood, contact Kent Police on 101 or speak to your local police community support officer.