Police have seized more than 680 cannabis plants worth over $1.4 million during three separate search warrant operations in south west Sydney, NSW Police say.
Strike Force Zambesi, comprising officers from South West Metropolitan Region Enforcement Squads, Wetherill Park and Bass Hill, was established to target the hydroponic cultivation of cannabis in the region.
About 7am yesterday (Monday 2 July 2018), Strike Force Zambesi officers executed a search warrant at a home on Palana Close, West Hoxton, where they located 267 cannabis plants as well as a cannabis cultivation set-up.
About 7.30am the same day, Strike Force officers executed a search warrant at Macksville Street, Carnes Hill. A cannabis cultivation set-up with 203 cannabis plants was found at that location.
Just before 7.30am today (Tuesday 3 July 2018), officers executed a search warrant at a home in Wendy Avenue, Georges Hall, where they located 213 cannabis plants and a cannabis cultivation set-up inside.
All items were secured for forensic analysis. The seized cannabis plants have an estimated potential street value of over $1.4 million dollars.
A 21-year-old man was arrested at the West Hoxton address and was taken to Liverpool Police Station, where further inquiries into the man’s immigration status are being undertaken.
Commander of the South West Metropolitan Region Enforcement Squad, Detective Chief Inspector Gus Viera, said the location of ‘hydro houses’ in residential suburbs was a concern to police.
"Almost all the houses were modified for sophisticated cannabis cultivation set-ups and fitted with extremely dangerous – and illegal – electrical bypasses," Detective Chief Inspector Viera said.
"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 day care centres or schools, near playgrounds or around the corner from shopping centres.
"Officers from Strike Force Zambesi are leading the way in locating and dismantling these hazardous premises, helping to reduce cannabis supply and break profit cycles amongst criminal groups," Detective Chief Inspector Viera said.
Police are urging anyone with information in relation to these incidents to call Crime Stoppers.
