POLICE have seized 1,000 plants – believed to be cannabis and with a street value of £25,000 – from a commercial warehouse in Starcross.
Acting on a tip-off, police exercised a search warrant on Saturday evening and found a crop that needed four vans to remove it.
It is believed that the supply could be for a national market and will have a serious affect on the current provision of illegal drugs.
The plants were being grown using a complicated system called hydroponics.
This is when plants are constantly fed nutrient-rich food and placed under bright sodium lamps that increase the yield and reduce growing time.
Four police officers investigated the tip-off and, on finding how large it was, called for back-up.
the search went on for 24 hours.
Police regard the haul as one of the largest they have seen in the area.
'This is a significant find,' said Insp Andy Wagon, head of Teignmouth and Dawlish police.
'We are always keen to receive information from the public about things like this and we will always follow it up.
'Cannabis is illegal, as well as being a risk to health, and I am pleased that this considerable amount has been removed from circulation.'
As well as the drugs haul, police also seized a sizeable amount of tobacco, cigarettes and alcohol, which are believed to have evaded tax duty.
What appears to be counterfeit goods has also been found.
Inquiries are continuing, along with Customs and Excise and Trading Standards, into the alleged crime.
At the time of going to press, no arrests had been made.