The plants, with an estimated street value of �1m, were seized when police raided properties in Newcastle, North Tyneside and Gateshead on Wednesday.

On Friday, three men aged 27, 32 and 35, faced Newcastle magistrates and were remanded in custody charged with drugs cultivation offences.

Of 11 people arrested, nine have appeared in court.

In addition, a 15-year-old boy has been charged and released to appear at a future court date and one man has been bailed pending further enquiries.

The raids on Wednesday, targeting Vietnamese criminal gangs, were led by Northumbria Police's Crime Operations Department and assisted by immigration officers.

Officers executed search warrants as part of the force's Operation Scorpion.