LIVE: Watch police remove cannabis plants from a large-scale drug farm found inside a house off Chester Road in Sunderland

Part of Chester Road was closed near Bishopwearmouth Cemetery but was later reopened.

Electricity was seen being disconnected from the property earlier this morning as officers stood at the corner of Barnard Street.

Police were also seen removing the contents from inside.

Officers have since arrested a 37-year-old man suspected of producing a controlled drug and remains in custody.

A Northumbria Police spokesman said yesterday: ‘Shortly before 9am officers executed a warrant at an address in the Westlands area of ​​Sunderland.

“The planned strike followed reports suggesting that drug-related crime may be operating from the property.

“Officers entered and located a large-scale cannabis farm. A 37-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of producing a controlled drug and remains in custody.

“A section of Chester Road was closed as a precaution during the term, while as a safety measure the electricity at the address in question had to be cut, which also impacted a small number of other houses in the area.

“The power has since been restored and the road has reopened. We would like to thank the community for their cooperation and patience throughout the incident.

A woman, who did not wish to be named, told the Echo she had visited her parents nearby.

She said: ‘There were four or five police cars and there was a canine unit in the next street.

Another woman said: “Around eight o’clock the armed police cars stopped and the policemen jumped out. They tried to break down the door several times.

“They were pointing their guns at the house and saying ‘Come out with your hands up. We won’t hurt you.’ They came in and then took the dogs away.”

Roger Mance, 54, who lives a few doors down from the address police raided, added: ‘Usually very quiet people living there, never any noise from them, never any sightings of ‘them, very calm, very peaceful.’