Police discovered a domestic drugs factory after stopping a van.
An officer was conducting the routine stop in Clipstone Road, Mansfield when he saw a man run towards a nearby property at around 3 am on Wednesday morning.
More than 200 cannabis plants were then found inside and have since been removed by police.
An array of electrical and growing equipment has also been destroyed and investigations into the property are ongoing.
PC Lloyd James, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “We certainly got more than we bargained for on this occasion and I am pleased we have been able to take such a large quantity of illegal drugs off the streets.
“Cannabis cultivation on this scale is not only a very serious criminal offence, it is also extremely dangerous for people in neighbouring properties.
“As very often the case, the electrical system in this property had been interfered with and posed a significant fire risk.
“These kinds of drug factories can also also become magnets for other serious criminality and violence, so if you think there may be one on your street please let us know about it as soon as possible.”
Anyone with additional information should call 101 quoting incident 30 of 1 March 2023.