TWO men have admitted being part of Southend's biggest ever cannabis cultivation.

Albanian nationals Emiljan Gjura, 31, and Ermir Reshiti, 35, both of no fixed address, appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court yesterday charged with being concerned in the supply of cannabis.

The duo were arrested in Grainger Road on April 20 during the first of several police raids in the road.

A total 3,727 have been found at the site worth more than £2 million.

Gjura and Reshiti had been living at the industrial estate which stored the cannabis, with them both tending the plants.

The court heard that Reshiti had been trafficked into the UK around five months ago and had been working at the site for a month before being found by police.

Gjura had come to the UK looking for work to support his wife and daughter back in Albania, but had been "exploited" through his immigration status.

The two men appeared via video link and spoke only to confirm their names and enter guilty pleas to the one joint count.

Mitigation for the pair said their role was low level in the operation in dealing the drugs, however, the prosecution said due to the amount of drugs found, the role is more significant.

The sentence has been adjourned until the week beginning June 22.

Judge Andrew Hurst told the defendants they would be remanded in custody until the next court appearance.