Four people have been arrested while allegedly harvesting a large cannabis crop on a rural property in the state’s Central West, NSW Police say.
In December 2017, detectives from the State Crime Command’s Drug and Firearms Squad commenced an investigation into networks involved in the large-scale cultivation of cannabis.
Following extensive inquiries, a search warrant was executed at a property at Mt Rankin by detectives just after 9am yesterday (Thursday 22 March 2018).
Officers located a large-scale crop site of 832 cannabis plants in various stages of maturity, and 130 harvested cannabis plants, which produced 60kg of cannabis head.
The total estimated potential street value of the plants and cannabis head is almost $2 million.
Two teenage boys and two men – aged 41 and 72 – were arrested at the crop site and taken to Bathurst Police Station.
The teens were charged with cultivate commercial quantity of prohibited plant and commercial drug supply.
Both boys were refused bail to appear at a children’s court today (Friday 23 March 2018).
The 41-year-old man, who is also an Italian National, was charged with cultivate commercial quantity of prohibited plant and commercial drug supply.
The 72-year-old man was charged with cultivate commercial quantity of prohibited plant and commercial drug supply.
Both men were refused bail to appear at Lithgow Local Court today.
Drug and Firearms Squad Commander, Detective Superintendent Peter McErlain, praised investigators for their unwavering determination to reduce the impact of illicit drugs on the community.
"Our Cannabis Team has worked long and hard - in less than ideal conditions - throughout the growing season and prevented more than $16 million of cannabis from hitting the streets," Det Supt McErlain said.
"This is in addition to hundreds of millions of dollars worth of other illicit substances seized by police around the state.
"I couldn’t be prouder of the work all NSW Police officers are doing, not only in seizing drugs, but also in targeting those who are trying to get rich by inflicting pain and suffering on the community.
"There were three major police operations in metro, regional, and rural areas targeting drug suppliers yesterday, but we still need to tackle the issue of demand.
"We need the support and assistance of the community to break the cycle of addiction and stop these substances from being a plague on our community," Det Supt McErlain said.
Police are urging anyone with information in relation to the cultivation or supply of cannabis to call Crime Stoppers.
