Police today hailed the discovery of 1,000 cannabis plants at what is thought to be Walsall’s biggest ever drug factory as a “major find”.

An intricate operation was found by police at the unit in Queen Street following a tip-off from members of the public.

It is the latest in a series of Black Country drug factories raided by police in recent months. Sgt Carl Batson, from Walsall Police, said two men, believed to be Vietnamese nationals, had been arrested and were helping officers with their enquiries.

“This is the biggest discovery we have seen for some considerable time, if ever, before,” he said.

“It is a major find for Walsall police.

“It is one of the most sophisticated cannabis factories we have come across and would have grown and grown.”

At least six separate compartments had been created inside the unit, scores of high-powered lights and hydroponics equipment in each.

Police officers believe the operation had been going on for at least three months, given the maturity of the plants.

Each plant is worth at least £250 each, but police say that figure can rise as high as £1,000.

Officers said hundreds of bags of unused compost uncovered at the site also illustrated the huge scale of the operation.

Elaborate living quarters in the unit featured a TV, stove and a selection of stationery.

Sgt Carl Batson also thanked the local community for supplying information which triggered this morning’s raid.

“We thank local people for their help and support,” he said.

“We hope that police operations such as this, in response to public concerns, will boost trust and confidence among the communities we serve.”

Police investigating an attempted burglary at a house in Pleck stumbled across a cannabis factory next door where £75,000 worth of plants was being grown.

More than 300 plants have since been removed from the semi-detached house in Gower Street by police on January 27.