Five of the hydroponic farms have been dismantled in Daventry and surrounding villages since the start of the year.

Speaking at the scene of the latest find yesterday, Supt George Shipman said classifying the drug in the same league as tranquilisers and steroids sent out “the wrong message”.

He said: “Northamptonshire Police supports the Government’s review of the current classification of cannabis as a Class C drug.

“Firstly it is linked to organised crime. We are not talking about students thinking of the 1960s having a smoke. These are gangs of organised criminals producing a large scale of controlled drugs.

“Secondly, but most importantly, is the link to public health. The cannabis grown in this type of factory is stronger than the drug used by cannabis users within the UK and there is evidence that it is linked to mental health issues.”

During 2007, Northamptonshire Police closed 29 cannabis factories across the county, but have already reached one fifth of that total in the first two weeks of 2008.

The Byfield factory had been up and running for about two months and had potentially already supplied £50,000 worth of illegal drugs in that time.

Two arrests have been made, following the Charwelton and Byfield raids, and both men are believed to be of Vietnamese origin.

Supt Shipman added: “We cannot say which classification we would prefer the drug to be, but I’m happy to say that leaving cannabis as a Class C drug sends out the wrong message because it ignores health problems.”