Detectives investigating the commercial production of cannabis struck at six addresses in Oxfordshire and Berkshire today.

A 41-year old Reading man was arrested elsewhere in the town on suspicion of conspiracy to produce cannabis and conspiracy to defraud. He has been detained for interview.

At two of the addresses, a house in Reading and farm premises in nearby Dunsdon Green, both expensive properties set up as sophisticated cannabis 'factories', a quantity of cannabis plants was seized.

Police said the exact volume and its potential value had yet to be assessed. One person was arrested at each address.

Four residential addresses were also entered by police, two in Tilehurst and two in Reading.

At the Reading addresses a total of seven arrests were made, on suspicion of being involved in the production of cannabis.

Police are working with the UK Border Agency to establish their status, and that of the two arrested at Dunsdon Green, in this country.

Detective Chief Inspector Paul Furnell, of the recently formed South East Region Serious Crime Investigation Team (SCIT), said: “This is an intelligence-led operation. Cannabis farming is currently of great interest to organised criminals and this is one of a number of police operations under way across the country aimed at combating it.”

SCIT officers were assisted in the operation, which involved simultaneous raids at noon, by other colleagues from the South East Serious and Organised Crime Directorate, by officers and staff from Thames Valley Police including neighbourhood policing teams, as well as the UK Border Agency.

Chief Supt Steve Kirk, of Thames Valley Police, said; “This is just the latest police initiative against organised drug dealing in Thames Valley and beyond.

"We work in partnership with police forces across the South East as well as local advice and support agencies, and we would like to hear from anyone who has information about drug dealing in their local area. You can contact us in confidence via 0845 8 505 505 at any time.”

Thames Valley officers are distributing leaflets in the immediate area of each of the addresses, explaining what has happened and encouraging local people to come forward with any information they may have about illegal drugs activity.