WILTSHIRE police have found up to 200 cannabis plants after carrying out a drugs raid on a property in Melksham this morning following a tip off from a member of the public.

Officers from the community tasking team and the local community policing teams in Trowbridge and Chippenham carried out a drugs warrant search at an address in Fullers Close at around 8.30am.

Around 200 cannabis plants were found growing in the loft and in a large garden shed, said Detective Sergeant Anthony King of the community tasking team. A BMW vehicle was also seized from the address.

It is understood a man in his late 40s who lives at the three-bedroomed semi-detached house has been arrested and taken to Melksham Police Station for questioning but has not yet been charged. Enquiries are ongoing at the property.

DS King said police had been gathering information on the property and its occupants after being tipped off by a member of the public who smelt cannabis while using an alleyway at the side of the house.

“It was quite obvious when walking in the area that there was a strong smell of cannabis. We obtained a warrant to search the premises at Salisbury Magistrates court yesterday and executed it early this morning.”

Police raided the property under Section 23 of the Misuse of Drugs Act and the man, who is understood to have recently separated from his wife, answered the front door when they knocked. They did not need to make a forced entry.

“He was a bit surprised to see us,” said DS King. “When we went inside, we located a considerable cannabis set up.

"The loft was full of cannabis plants and there were also plants growing in a large shed in the garden.”

DS King said they discovered scores of plants in “various stages” of growth, as well as the lighting and heating equipment necessary to cultivate them. The street value of the cannabis is not yet known.

“We got there just in time. Some of the plants were at the stage where they were ready to be cropped,” DS King said.

Police are now talking to the occupant’s utility supplier, understood to be British Gas, to find out how much electricity has been used for growing the plants and for how long.

They have secured and photographed the plants and equipment, which will be destroyed later today.

DS King described the cannabis farm as a “small scale” operation which was taking place in a quiet residential cul-de-sac just off the A3102 Sandridge Road in Melksham.

Today, a neighbour – who did not wish to be named – said: “It’s normally a quiet little area.”

DS King added: “You cannot stop the smell of cannabis getting out and our message to anyone thinking of growing it is that you will get caught.

“This was a very good result for us this morning. The whole operation happened very quickly following the information that we have received in the last few weeks.”