Four men have been charged and six hydro houses uncovered following investigation into cannabis cultivation in Sydney’s south-west, NSW Police say.
Detectives from State Crime Command’s Drug Squad established Strike Force Palamara to investigate cannabis cultivation and hydroponic cannabis houses, and dismantle the organised criminal syndicates behind them.
Following extensive inquiries, strike force detectives, with the assistance of the Public Order and Riot Squad and South West Metropolitan Region Enforcement Squad, executed eight search warrants earlier today.
At six of the search warrants – which were executed at Narellan, Spring Farm, Elderslie, Mt Annan, Gregory Hills, and Oran Park – detectives located elaborate hydroponic cannabis set-ups.
In total, 2242 mature plants were seized, with an estimated potential street value of $10 million.
At the Oran Park property, police also located and seized more than 50 pounds of packaged cannabis head, with an estimated potential street value of $200,000.
Two men, aged 25 and 31, were arrested at the Oran Park home and a 39-year-old man was arrested at the Mt Annan Property. All three men were taken to Narellan Police Station.
The 25-year-old man was charged with cultivate large commercial quantity of prohibited plant by enhanced means, commercial drug supply, and use/consume/waste etc electricity without authority.
The 31-year-old man was charged with cultivate large commercial quantity of prohibited plant by enhanced means, commercial drug supply, and use/consume/waste etc electricity without authority.
The 39-year-old man was charged with cultivate large commercial quantity of prohibited plant by enhanced means, and use/consume/waste etc electricity without authority.
At the other two search warrants in Cabramatta and Cabramatta West, detectives arrested two 33-year-old men. They were taken to Cabramatta Police Station.
One of the men was charged with cultivate large commercial quantity of prohibited plant by enhanced means.
The other man was transferred to the custody of Department of Immigration and Border Protection.
All men were refused bail to appear at Campbelltown Local Court tomorrow.
Drug Squad Commander, Detective Acting Superintendent Jason Smith, said the suburban locations of ‘hydro houses’ was a concern to police.
"The houses were modified for the sophisticated set-ups and fitted with extremely dangerous – and illegal – electrical bypasses," Det A/Supt Smith said.
"A surge in power or illegal rewiring carried out to bypass the meter can quite easily cause a fire or electrocution, which poses a great risk to the community, especially their unsuspecting neighbours.
"It is disturbing to find these set-ups in quiet residential streets, next-door to daycares or schools, near playgrounds or around the corner from shopping centres.
"The Drug Squad works closely with local police to uncover and destroy cannabis crops across the state, target drug supply, and associated crimes.
"We will continue to dismantle these hazardous premises, and help reduce cannabis supply and break profit cycles amongst criminal groups," Det A/Supt Smith said.
As investigations continue, police are urging members of the public to be vigilant and to contact authorities if they believe a hydro house is being operated in their area.
Signs of a hydro house include, but should not be confined to:
• Increased security measures (roller shutters, fences, vicious dogs in the yard)
• Increased use of electricity
• Increased use of water
• Illegal connection to electrical supply
• Condensation on windows
• Continual running of generators
• Disposal of large amounts of garbage
• Large quantities of chemicals and fertilisers around the premises
• Locks or other methods in place to prevent access to the electricity meter box
• Discarded chemical containers (fertilisers, liquid and bagged growing cultures)
For more information about key identifiers of hydroponic set-ups in residential areas, visit: http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/community_issues/drugs/drug_house_-_hydroponic_cannabis
Police are urging anyone with information in relation to this incident to call Crime Stopers.
