POLICE have smashed a fifth major cannabis farm in South Tyneside in six weeks - thanks to eagle-eyed residents.
Officers raided a property in Mortimer Road, South Shields, yesterday, after being tipped off by people of “suspicious behaviour.”
Inside the loft, they found about 100 plants - with a potential value of £100,000 - and lighting equipment.
The discovery means cannabis with an estimated street value of £500,000 has been found in the borough in recent weeks.
Neighbourhood Inspector Peter Sutton said: “Officers have been able to disrupt a drugs operation which has prevented a large amount of cannabis hitting the streets of South Tyneside.
“This has been made possible thanks to the public’s help.
“This latest action sends out a strong message of the positive impact that can be made when the police and public work together.”
Last week, officers in Hebburn found 100 plants in two neighbouring flats in Victoria Road East.
Earlier this month more than 100 plants - between 3ft and 4ft high - were seized from a flat in Thornton Avenue, South Shields.
On December 16, more than 150 plants and lighting equipment was seized from the loft of a flat in Talbot Road, West Park, South Shields. A week later police raided an upstairs flat in Westcott Road, South Shields, where 80 plants were found.
Insp Sutton added: “People can be assured we take the issue of drugs extremely seriously, and where information is passed to us we will take the appropriate action.”
Anyone with information about drugs in South Tyneside is asked to call police on 101 ext 69191 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
*A man, believed to be Vietnamese, arrested last night in connection with the find has been charged with producing a Class B drug.
He is due to appear before South Tyneside Magistrates Court, later today.