POLICE stumbled across a drugs factory while making routine inquiries.
Officers from Hainault Safer Neighbourhoods Team went to a house in Latchford place, Hainault, to chase up some outstanding arrest warrants.
On knocking at the door a man ran off through the rear garden.
He was chased through gardens and detained by officers.
A spokeswoman said: "On returning to the address to establish the suspects details police found a canister of mace on the floor next to the sofa.
"The man was arrested for possession of a section five firearm.
"On carrying out a search of the premises a cannabis factory was discovered on the first floor."
The man was further arrested for cultivation of cannabis and was bailed pending forensic examination of the CS spray until September 16.
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