A 15-YEAR-OLD boy has been arrested after more than 2,000 cannabis plants worth £1m were seized by police.

This morning's raid uncovered one of the largest cannabis farms yet found in Sunderland.

During the raid cannabis plants worth around £1 million were seized alongside sophisticated lighting equipment.

More than 30 officers and police staff executed a warrant at 9.30am on a disused boat warehouse on the north side of Wickham Street, Roker.

A 15-year-old boy has been charged with cultivating cannabis and will appear at Sunderland Magistrates Court later today.

The raid was made after reports by local residents of suspicious activity around the building.

Acting Neighbourhood Inspector Paul Dixon said: "Northumbria Police actively target the production of drugs in Sunderland and we will take direct action in response to any intelligence received from within our communities.

"Drugs make a significant contribution to the levels of acquisitive crime, such as burglaries and thefts, within Sunderland.

"By dismantling farms such as this one we can have a major impact on these types of crime to ensure that the city remains a safe place for people to live, work and visit.

"Residents in all areas of the city can assist us in this by keeping an eye out for some of the tell tale signs that a property is being used as a cannabis farm.

"These include people arriving at unusual hours, a pungent aroma in the area, blacked-out windows or bright lights coming from a number of windows throughout the night."