A cannabis farm worth £700,000 has been discovered just yards from a school.
A tip-off led a team of officers to the house in Thornhill Terrace, opposite St Anthony's School, Sunderland.
A large operation was launched and two men, Phan Van Giap, 19, of Thornhill Terrace, and 21-year-old Tuan Van Tran, of no fixed addre
ss, were arrested and charged with being concerned with the production of cannabis, a Class B drug. Police seized more than 700 plants from the property.
Some residents in the leafy street, where house prices can reach £350,000, were surprised to find the suburb awash with squad cars and vans, the force helicopter hovering above, and officers searching gardens.
One said: "It's normally very quiet around here. This is not the sort of thing you expect at all. But I suppose it can happen anywhere these days."
Sunderland Police were delighted with the outcome of the successful operation.
Neighbourhood Sergeant Paul Whittle, who covers the city centre, said: "We hope that by listening to the concerns of the residents and taking positive action, members of the public are reassured that we are listening to their concerns and reaching solutions for the issues which affect them the most."
He added: "Making people feel safer in their neighbourhood is our priority and we will continue to target those who take part in criminal activity and hope the public feel reassured that we are doing so."
The Thornhill drugs raid comes after a number of similar raids on cannabis farms in Sunderland in recent months.
About 400 plants were found at a house in Morgan Street, Southwick, after Pc Andy Howarth noticed a strong smell while patrolling his beat.
Six hundred plants, with an estimated street value of £300,000, were found at a rented farmhouse in Front Street, Newbottle, after officers went to investigate a burglary.
Anyone with information regarding drug activity in Sunderland can contact police on 03456 043 043, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
