Three people were arrested when officers, acting on a tip-off, targeted homes in Seaham and Blackhall.

They found 20 mature plants, each worth £1,000, plus growing equipment at a home in Ocean View, Blackhall Rocks, on Thursday afternoon.

In a second raid in Stewart Street, Dawdon, Seaham, officers using a sniffer dog found a small-scale farm during a raid at 7.30am yesterday.

A detailed search of the cottage recoved nine large plants and 50 seedlings, which police say have a potential street value of £30,000.
Bags of cannabis leaves and lighting equipment were also recovered.

A 16-year-old girl and two men aged in their 30s have been arrested on suspicion of producing cannabis and released on police bail.
Acting Sergeant George Curry, of Seaham police, said: "This is part of an ongoing operation throughout the district of Easington.
"We always welcome any information from the general public about drugs activity."

Sergeant Ian Dickenson, of Peterlee police, added: "This information was given to us anonymously and if anyone wants to pass it on to us in that way we will act on it."