THIS is the moment workers chased a suspected cannabis farmer with a drone after stumbling across a £1million drugs factory hidden inside a former chicken farm.
Footage shows the man sprinting across the sprawling rural site as the drone follows him from above.
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The workers were able to track him until he reached a main road, where he was nabbed by cops.
The chase began after unsuspecting builders arrived to measure up former chicken barns they had been asked to help turn into storage units.
They became suspicious after finding buildings secured, windows sealed and hearing powerful ventilation equipment running inside.
They were then warned that potentially dangerous “guardians” were at the site and that their contractors needed to get out.
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The workers moved to safety and launched a drone, which captured people apparently fleeing the site as police were called.
Officers who arrived shortly afterwards discovered what was described as an “extremely substantial cannabis cultivation operation”.
A source said: “The bloke guarding the site was caught completely off-guard and legged it when the workers showed up.
“He must have been baffled when the drone showed up and he started pegging it.
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“The lads had a great laugh watching him run.
“It’s no surprise he legged it because when you look at the size of the grow it would easily be worth more than £1million on the streets, so he’s looking at some proper time.”
Police said a 24-year-old man of no fixed abode was arrested on suspicion of cannabis cultivation and later released under investigation.
He is thought to be an Albanian national.
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Footage from inside shows row upon row of cannabis plants stretching through one of the huge former chicken barns beneath banks of powerful lights.
Living quarters had also been created for people staying at the site, with beds, cooking and food-storage facilities and washing amenities.
A second large barn appeared to have been undergoing preparations for similar use.
Keystones Property and Keystones Maintenance Ltd first attended the farm in Layer Marney, Essex, on July 24.
The firms had been approached about letting and refurbishing two bungalows and the potential commercial use of several large former chicken barns on the site.
They were given keys to the properties and instructed to begin refurbishment work on one of the bungalows.
Keystones also drew up plans to convert part of one of the barns into individual storage units.
A representative returned to the farm with two contractors on Friday to inspect and measure the barns.
But the team soon spotted signs that something was wrong.
Keystones said the representative later received a phone call saying people described as “guardians” were at the farm.
The company said: “During that conversation, I was warned that these individuals were dangerous and that there was a risk of confrontation.
“This was the first time we had been made aware that other people were occupying or guarding parts of the site.
“I immediately telephoned our contractors and instructed them to leave the area and contacted Essex Police because I was extremely concerned for their safety.”
By then, the contractors had encountered individuals at the farm.
Keystones said a drone was deployed from a safe position, capturing footage of people leaving the area.
Police arrived shortly afterwards.
Keystones said: “What officers subsequently discovered inside the buildings appeared to be an extremely substantial cannabis cultivation operation.
“There were extensive growing areas and ventilation systems, while separate living accommodation appeared to have been created for people staying at the site, including beds, cooking and food-storage facilities, washing facilities and other amenities.
“A second large barn also appeared to have been undergoing preparation for similar use.”
The company said its biggest concern was the danger its employees and contractors had unknowingly faced.
It added: “Had we known that individuals were occupying other parts of the site, or that there was potentially serious criminal activity taking place there, our staff and contractors would never have been put into that position.
“Our team acted quickly when the situation became apparent, contacted the police and cooperated fully with responding officers.
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“Most importantly, everyone from our team came away safely.”
An Essex Police spokesman said: “Our investigation is ongoing.”