A massive cannabis factory has been uncovered inside a former nightclub in Coventry city centre.

Officers from the National Crime Agency (NCA) raided the venue in Trinity Street on Thursday (October 15), smashing through reinforced doors to gain access into the former club.

Inside, some 1,000 cannabis plants were discovered, spread out over three floors.

According to the NCA, the value of the grow is an estimated £1 million and has been described as "one of the largest grows ever uncovered by the NCA".

What's more, around £150,000 worth of equipment relating to the illicit operation was also seized.

Look: Check out our gallery of pictures from the Trinity Street cannabis raid

During the raid, two men are believed to have fled the building - before being captured, with assistance from West Midlands Police's drone unit.

In total, three men were arrested, and all have subsequently been charged with production of a class B drug.

Albanian national Andi Qani, 24, and Vietnamese national Cao Van Vu, 31, appeared before Coventry Magistrates' Court on Friday (October 16) where they were remanded in custody until their next court appearance at Warwick Crown Court on November 12.

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The third man, Albanian national Adrian Lieshaj, was found to be wanted by German authorities for robbery offences and is the subject of a European Arrest Warrant.

The 28-year-old was taken to Westminster Magistrates' Court yesterday (October 16) in order for the extradition matter to be heard.

What has been said about the operation?

NCA branch Commander Adam Warnock said: “This is a significant drug seizure which will have a huge impact on the organised crime groups involved, depriving them of commodity and profit.

“The size of the cannabis factory was significant and sophisticated, spread across three floors of a large building. It is certainly one of the largest grows ever uncovered by the NCA.

“Operations like this underline the value and power of working with law enforcement partners like West Midlands Police to take down high-harm criminals.

“Our investigation into this seizure continues.”

The operation was supported by officers from the West Midlands Police Cannabis Disruption Team.

Chf Supt Lee Wharmby, head of West Midlands Police’s Operations department, said: “Our pilots helped detain two people using our state-of-the art drones equipped with thermal imaging cameras.

“It’s always great when we can help out a partner agency. Our job is to protect the public and drones are invaluable to us.”

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