Detectives have charged an eighth person following the seizure of nearly $10 million worth of cannabis in the state's Central West last month.
In December 2019, detectives from the State Crime Command's Drug and Firearms Squad established Strike Force Emerstan to investigate the cultivation and supply of cannabis across the state's Central West.
Their inquiries uncovered a rural property near Dubbo being used for the cultivation of cannabis.
Following extensive inquiries, strike force detectives, with assistance from Orana Mid-Western Police District, Western Region Enforcement Squad and the Dog Unit, executed a crime scene warrant at a property at Ballimore, about 40km east of Dubbo, on Monday 27 April 2020.
Officers located and seized more than 2440 cannabis plants and 427kg of dried cannabis, with an estimated potential street value of more than $9.6 million.
Five men – aged 26, 40, 42, 45 and 52 – and two women – aged 34 and 59 – were arrested and charged. All seven remain before the courts.
Following further investigations, officers arrested a 36-year-old man at Cabramatta Police Station about 4pm yesterday (Thursday 21 May 2020).
The Cabramatta man was charged with cultivate prohibited plant (large commercial quantity), supply prohibited drug (large commercial quantity), participate criminal group contribute criminal activity and knowingly deal with proceeds of crime.
Police will allege in court that the man was involved in the large-scale cultivation and supply of cannabis across NSW.
He was refused bail to appear at Liverpool Local Court today (Friday 22 May 2020).
Investigations by the Drug and Firearms Squad are continuing.
Police are urging anyone with information in relation to the cultivation and supply of cannabis to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page: https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au/. Information you provide will be treated in the strictest of confidence. We remind people they should not report crime information via our social media pages.
