Updated: FIVE men from York have been arrested after a massive haul of cannabis plants was seized in a police swoop on a North Yorkshire farmhouse.

About 160 mature cannabis plants with an estimated street value of £96,000 were seized after North Yorkshire Police’s Organised Crime Unit executed a warrant at the four-bedroom farmhouse near Easingwold.

Teams of officers carried out the raid at about 7.30am on Friday and discovered the whole of the upstairs floor taken over with cannabis plants and cultivation equipment.

Hydroponics equipment and a number of vehicles were also seized in the raid.

Three men were arrested at the property and one man nearby. They are aged 20, 41, 43 and 58 and are from York. Further warrants were executed in the York area and additional plants were seized.

A 21-yr-old man from the York area was arrested following these warrants.

Detective chief inspector Helen Taylor said: “North Yorkshire Police strive to protect our communities from the harm that drugs cause.

“We will do all we can to disrupt the flow of drugs onto our streets and this latest operation sends a clear message to those involved in criminality that their illegal activity will not be tolerated. Whether you operate in towns or remote rural areas, we can and we will find you.

“Local people can help the police disrupt crime by reporting anything suspicious on 0845 60 60 247. Or you can give information anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

All five men were arrested on suspicion of drug offences and have been bailed while inquiries continue.