The statistics have been revealed to the TIMES by PSNI Sector Commander Inspector Stephen Moneypenny.
He was commenting on the success of local operations following a provincewide swoop on drugs barons who've been responsible for setting up and running dozens of cannabis factories.
The latest local discovery came in the Meadows area of Dungannon on Sunday morning when uniformed and drug squad officers netted two hundred mature cannabis plants with an estimated street value of over £10,000 from a house.
There were no arrests.

Harvested

Police say the factory, which had been half harvested, was not as significant a find as others in the area, but nevertheless represented another step forward in the fight against drugs.
Earlier this month at the Torrent View housing development in the village of Donaghmore over half a million pounds worth of cannabis plants were recovered in what police confirmed was the largest ever single seizure of the Class B drug in this area.
It's understood neighbours, who became concerned by a number of individuals acting suspiciously in the area, alerted police.
A raid by uniformed police and drugs squad officers revealed the full extent of the operation.
A total of fifteen people were subsequently arrested and charged in connection with the discovery.
Across Northern Ireland similar raids have taken place over several months and the PSNI have:

• Searched 55 properties
• Made 56 arrests
• Charged 45 people, all of them from South East Asia
• Recovered 14,500 cannabis plants with a street value of £7.3 million
• Seized 113 kilos of herbal cannabis with a street value of £1.1 million
• Seized £120,000 in cash
• Seized substantial amounts of equipment used in the cultivation process.



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Tackling

The senior policeman in charge of the investigation, Detective Inspector Peter Moore from the PSNI Drug Squad, said cannabis factories were an increasing problem but one which police, both his officers in the Drug Squad and uniformed colleagues in every District, were addressing.
Detective Inspector Moore said: "Police believe these factories are linked to organised crime. Organised crime gangs have turned their attention from mainland UK to Northern Ireland, presumably because they thought they wouldn't get caught. They were wrong.
"We believe the cannabis is being cultivated here for distribution and sale outside Northern Ireland. Our investigations are continuing with a number of other agencies to determine the scale and extent of the network.

Exploitation

"Organised crime gangs are exploiting people from South East Asia in the cultivation process. Police believe those involved in this illegal activity are not 'local' Chinese people but individuals from outside Northern Ireland. Police have met with representatives of the 'local' Chinese community and they are as outraged as all other right-thinking members of our society. They should not be stigmatised or victimised because of the actions of outsiders."
He urged the public to play its part in making communities safer and ridding areas of the drugs menace.
"Cannabis cultivation is a crime which the community can help the police to defeat. Police have already received information and we are grateful for public assistance. We need people to use their eyes and ears to stop this threat to our community and to victims in other countries. Call your local police on 0845 600 8000 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 if you are suspicious."