THREE men have pleaded guilty to producing cannabis after 370 plants were found at a boarding kennels and dog groomers.
The Class B drugs, which have a street value of roughly £310,000, were discovered by police at Harmony Kennels at Brook House in Spar Lane, Purleigh, in April.
Daniel Morris, 22, Matthew Wheeler, 32, and David Hawkes, 69, who lives at the address where the drugs were found, admitted the single charge at Chelmsford Crown Court on Thursday.
The trio were arrested when police raided the premises and spent a night in police custody before appearing at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court on May 1 on the charge of manufacturing cannabis.
At an earlier hearing, Denise Holland, prosecuting, said: "Police executed a search warrant at the outbuildings and a large quantity of cannabis plants, 370 in total, was found.
"The defendants were there wearing white paper sheets on their clothing.
"They were arrested, put in custody and interviewed."
At last Thursday's hearing, Chelmsford Crown Court heard that the crown wanted more time to assess links to other criminals in the London area.
Morris, of Windrush Court, Chichester Wharf, Erith, Wheeler, of Bow Road, London, and Hawkes were bailed until Monday, February 2, when they will appear in court for sentencing.
They were told not to contact each other in the interim.
In an unrelated incident, James Webber, 34, pleaded guilty at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court on Monday to growing 53 cannabis plants on Monday, September 8, at his home in Hullbridge Road, South Woodham Ferrers.
The court heard how Webber had been growing plants in a bedroom in the property, in a loft area and in cupboards.
Police estimate that the 2.38kg haul was worth £12,205 on the street.
Webber is awaiting sentence at Chelmsford Crown Court.
