POLICE targeted a network of cannabis gangs with six simultaneous drugs raids.

Officers smashed their way into a warehouse at Warren Barn Farm, in Little Milton, near Thame, shortly after 8am today and found 147 mature cannabis plants hidden behind fake walls .

Simultaneous raids took place in Thame and in Moreton, just outside the town, and in Aylesbury, leading to five arrests for cultivation of cannabis.

Police also seized £6,000 in cash and hundreds of packets of cigarettes in a connected raid at the Two Brewers’ pub in Thame.

A 67-year-old man was arrested at the pub on suspicion of possession of a controlled drug and customs offences. He was last night in custody.

Insp Martin Ford, who was in charge of the operation, said: “This was a substantial operation in terms of production of drugs.

“Obviously on the back of that there would be a reasonably sized supply network which we have disrupted.

“The five people arrested for cultivation of cannabis all relate to the unit at Warren Barn Farm.

“It appears to be an organised operation.”

About 50 officers, including scenes of crime officers and dog handlers, were involved in the operation, codenamed Missile.

Officers arrested a 36-year-old man on suspicion of cultivation of cannabis after breaking down the front door of a warehouse unit.

The warehouse was ringed by CCTV cameras, and police needed at least 10 attempts to smash their way through the locks on the door.

Inside, officers found two cars and a caravan where someone had been living.

They forced their way through two fake walls and discovered two rooms filled with 5ft-high cannabis plants.

Businesses who used other units near the warehouse said they had long held suspicions about the premises.

One man, who asked not to named, said: “That’s been there for years with CCTV cameras and a locked door.

“We’ve known something was dodgy for ages. People live there 24 hours day.”

Another businessman said: “I asked a guy there what they did and he said ‘we store stuff’. When I asked what he just said ‘this and that’.

“There were rumours from other people they stored fridge magnets and condoms. With all the comings and goings I thought it was drugs or pornography.”

Three men, aged 23, 52 and 53, were arrested on suspicion of cultivating cannabis following a raid on a house at The Furlongs, in Moreton.

A 32-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possession and cultivation of cannabis after the raid in Aylesbury. Other raids took place at Sedgemoor Drive and Pym Walk, both in Thame, but no one was arrested.

Anyone with information on drugs should call police on 08458 505505 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

mwilkinson@oxfordmail.co.uk