Class A drugs and 120 cannabis plants have been seized by police from an industrial site in Iwade .

Two hundred wraps of what is suspected to be heroin or cocaine were found at the location, off Raspberry Hill, following a dawn search warrant carried out by Kent Police this morning.

Four shipping containers were being used to grow cannabis, and three men aged between 18 and 59 were arrested as part of inquiries into the cultivation.

Two dogs, two agricultural mowers and a caravan were also seized due to suspicions they had been stolen.

Swale Borough Council also joined Kent Police at the site following reports of planning conditions being breached.

Cllr Roger Truelove, leader of Swale Council, said: "This was a great multi-agency operation which we’re proud our officers from a range of teams helped to plan and carry out this morning. We’ve gathered valuable intelligence for ongoing investigations into alleged breaches of planning conditions.

"Working alongside colleagues from the different agencies has been a real success for all involved, and shows the importance of continuing this kind of collaboration.’

Also present was the Environment Agency, who are investigating reports waste, including building rubble, was being illegally stored at the site.

Sally Harvey, Area Director for the Environment Agency, said: "The Environment Agency and our partners are fighting to put a stop to waste crime and we won’t hesitate to take action. Joint investigations will continue and if convicted as a result of illegal action, those responsible could face extensive fines and even prison sentences.

"To help avoid your waste ending up at an illegal waste site, ask for your waste collector’s waste carrier’s registration number and to see their waste transfer note; they must have them.

"It’s our job to protect people and the environment even in these uncertain times, which is why our regulatory and enforcement work continues while we adhere to the government’s guidelines around coronavirus."

Chief Inspector Alan Rogers, Kent Police’s district commander for Swale, said: "This activity is the culmination of close partnership work between us and our colleagues from several agencies."

"Working together we successfully applied for a search warrant from the court and executed it using our combined resources.

"Our partners play an important role in helping us protect the communities we serve, and we will continue to use our collective powers to target organised criminal activity and achieve the best possible results for victims of crime.

"We are committed to working with, and supporting, our partners on issues that we know affect the communities we serve.

"The combined use of our powers helps us ensure that robust, and proportionate, action is taken. We will continue to work with our partners, including the Environment Agency, to help achieve the best possible results for our neighbourhoods."

You can check your waste collectors waste carriers registration by clicking here or by calling 03708 506 506.

Cllr Mike Whiting (Con), who represents Teynham and Lynsted on Swale council, wrote to residents who had complained about illegal activity on the site to him.

"The urgent issue in early summer was that of the burning, with plumes of thick black, acrid smoke.

"Following a number of conversations, backed up by residents' evidence, the burning stopped, and this has largely remained the case in the months since, with just a few small fires being reported.

"The other issues, including barking dogs, digging and lorry movements, were part of the action taken by the police and partners that took place yesterday and resulted in a number of arrests which have been publicised by the police."

He passed his thanks, on behalf of residents, to the agencies involved in the action.

Anyone who suspects illegal waste activity is reminded to report it to the Environment Agency by calling 0800 80 70 60, or anonymously contacting Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Read more: all the latest news from Sittingbourne .