THREE people have been charged in connection with the discovery of around 1,000 cannabis plants in a barn near Great Dunmow in May last year.

Following a lenghty police investigation, a 33-year-old man from Dunmow, a 34-year-old man from London and a 42-year-old man from Middlesex were charged with the production of cannabis and abstracting electricity at the Green Arbour Barn in Duton Hill, Dunmow.

All three were also charged with conspiracy to produce cannabis at an address in Lindsell, Dunmow, and are due to appear at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on August 22.

The-34-year-old man is also charged with being in possession of a bladed weapon.

Essex Police had executed a warrant under the Misuse of Drugs Act on the Green Arbour Barn shortly after 12noon on May 13, 2011.

Officers discovered approximately 981 cannabis plants, in varying stages of maturity, growing across two floors of the barn, along with a full hydroponics set up and living quarters.

A 42-year-old woman from Middlesex who was on bail has failed to answer bail and is wanted by police. The 33-year-old man was previously on bail.