Detectives have charged four men and seized cannabis with a street value of nearly $13 million as part of an ongoing investigation into cannabis cultivation and money laundering.
In July 2019, the State Crime Command's Organised Crime Squad and the NSW Crime Commission established Strike Force Riche to investigate a criminal syndicate involved in cannabis cultivation and money laundering.
Their inquiries uncovered a criminal syndicate operating multiple hydro houses in residential areas across Sydney's south west, used for the large-scale cultivation and supply of cannabis across NSW and interstate.
So far during the investigation, police have arrested 12 people. They were all charged and remain before the courts.
As part of ongoing inquiries, detectives uncovered a remote property in Sydney's west being used for the cultivation of cannabis.
Following extensive investigations, Strike Force Riche detectives, executed a crime scene warrant at a property on Devonshire Road at Kemps Creek, from 8am yesterday (Tuesday 25 August 2020).
Detectives were assisted throughout the operation by the State Crime Command's Drug and Firearms Squad, Wetherill Park Region Enforcement Squad and Liverpool City Police Area Command.
Officers located 31 green houses on the property, four of which contained equipment consistent with the cultivation of cannabis and were subsequently dismantled.
Within the four large-scale industrial grow houses, investigators seized 4297 cannabis plants with an estimated potential street value of $12.89 million.
Strike Force Riche detectives also seized $3690 cash.
Four men – aged 19, 23, 26 and 41 – were arrested at the property and taken to Liverpool Police Station.
All four men were charged with cultivate prohibited plant (large commercial quantity) and participate in a criminal group.
Police will allege the men were involved in the large-scale cultivation of cannabis in Sydney's west.
The 19-year-old man was also charged with an additional count of cultivate prohibited plant (large commercial quantity) and participate criminal group.
It will be further alleged that he was also involved in the large-scale cultivation of cannabis at a property in Gibberagee, where cannabis worth nearly $22 million was seized in June this year.
All four men were refused bail to appear at Liverpool Local Court today (Wednesday 26 August 2020).
Investigations under Strike Force Riche are continuing.
Anyone with information that may assist Strike Force Riche investigators is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence.
