A man will appear in court today charged after cannabis worth nearly $430,000 was seized from a home in Sydney's north-west following an investigation by Penrith RES.
In October this year, officers from Penrith Region Enforcement Squad (RES) commenced an investigation into enhanced indoor cannabis cultivation across Sydney's north-west.
Following extensive inquiries, Penrith RES investigators, with assistance from North West Metropolitan Operations Support Group (OSG), executed a crime scene warrant at a property at Vermont Court, Seven Hills, from 5.15pm yesterday (Tuesday 1 December 2020).
During the search, police located 212 cannabis plants with an estimated potential street value of $424,000.
Officers also seized equipment consistent with the cultivation and supply of cannabis.
A 23-year-old man was arrested and taken to Blacktown Police Station, where he was charged with cultivate prohibited plant (large commercial quantity) and use/consume/waste etc electricity without authority.
The man was refused bail to appear at Blacktown Local Court today (Wednesday 2 December 2020).
Signs of a hydro house can include;
• 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 and lights,
• 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 plastic containers and strong odours (fertilisers, liquid and bagged growing cultures).
Anyone with information about the cultivation and supply of cannabis is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
